STRESS-series: Understanding Its Nature and Causes

Have you experienced not sleeping several nights in a row just trying to meet a deadline? Or waited what seemed like forever for someone who was supposed to pick you up? Or had a close friend unexpectedly not wanting to see you anymore? Or tried to explain why you no longer want to date someone? This enormous variety of experiences clearly can cause stress.

What is Stress?

Stress is a process we experience when we try to adjust to or deal with stressors. Stressors refer to stimuli from the environment that interrupt or impend to interrupt our daily functioning.

Where Do We Usually Encounter Stressors?

Stressors can be found everywhere. The moment you face yourself in the mirror seeing those zits and blemishes you get stressed. Or going home from work and looking those puppies’ poops around every corner makes you really stressed. Or even when your boyfriend or girlfriend sent you a message of breaking up without any explanation would really cause you to become stress. So basically, stress can be a result of psychological stressors.

There are different types of psychological stressors. Firstly are the catastrophic events. These are stressors which are considered potentially life-threatening. Say for example, those people who experienced the angst of Typhoon Sendong (Washi) way back December 2011 where 6,071 persons were injured, 181 were missing, and 1,268 were reported dead (Source: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management). Or even what happened recently to Marawi City wherein the terrorists –the Maute Group, killed civilians or even children. These events eventually cause some people to develop traumas.

Secondly are what we call life changes and strains. These are stressors which really call for an adjustment. Example would be when a member of your family needs to be hospitalized yet you don’t have enough money to pay for the hospitalization. Or when someone would steal your phone and assuming that is your only means to communicate with your significant others. These experiences will definitely tear our well-being.

Thirdly are those things which are already present even before, we call them as chronic stressors. Like when you are living in a war zone always hearing the sound of the bullets and bombs or maybe admitted to a school where oftentimes you experience bullying and discrimination. These will definitely cause stress to someone.

Lastly would be daily hassles. These are just acute frustrations or provocations which we usually don’t pay attention yet bothered us very much. Say for example, when you are going to school because you have an exam and you remember your teachers’ reminder not to be late or else your teacher will not allow you take the exam. But because of the heavy traffic you were not able to take the exam.

To wrap up, there might be a lot of causes for stress to develop, but one should remember not take it for granted. No matter how insignificant it may seem, this still needs to be addressed. Because sooner or later, these minor stressors could pile up and become more intolerable to handle with. Worst case scenario, you might find yourself ending your life by a rope.

Thank you for reading! Stay updated for more upcoming posts with regards to stress. Next blog would answer the question "how do people react to stressors?"

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