We are living in difficult times. There are times when life seems incredibly unfair, even painful, yet we manage to get by day after day and we hope and pray that things will get better soon.
Every day the world is turning into a crazier place to live and of course people are becoming more stressed.
People are deep in debt; many are losing their jobs, homes, health, and worst of all their sanity. Depression, worry and anxiety set in and become a way of life for so many.
In 2002, Time magazine featured a story proclaiming that we have entered the “Age of Anxiety.” This is attributed to the uncertainties and constant stress of living in the 21st century many people are living life of worry and fear.
Between all the 24 hour news stations, newspapers and ‘online’ media outlets, we are bombarded with many images and stories that are beyond disturbing. Another stressor is the economy. With the outrageous housing costs, soaring gas prices and not to mention the cost of living, people are forced to work at jobs that are tedious and unsatisfying.
Simply bringing home a paycheck is more important than trying to get the career of your dreams.
Women tend to contribute to their stress levels by trying to be all things to everyone. For example, they are required to be a daughter, a sibling, a wife, a mom, a housekeeper and a paycheck earner. They forget to make time for themselves and then their stress levels skyrocket.
For children and teenagers they have to contend with peer pressure to take drugs or become sexually active, just to feel like they ‘fit in.’
We are always on the go and always reachable, there is the onternet, cell phones, i-pods, palm pilots etc.
We do not make time to relax and enjoy life anymore. Why not? We certainly should!
Sometimes the things we do are not because we WANT to but because we HAVE to. Rather than saying “No” once in a while, unnecessary obligations and expectations pile up and make us feel anxious.
Additional causes of stress can include, relationship problems, traveling, buying property, managing finances, exams, being bullied, having guests stay over (in-laws!), etc.
Stress is a “normal” function of everyday life. Only when it appears to take over our lives does it then become a problem. Usually if you feel that you are no longer in control of a situation you will feel worried or “stressed”.
If being stressed is caused by not feeling in control of a situation, the answer is to try and reverse the feeling and regain your control.
A good first step is to take 10 minutes each and every day and unplug yourself, turn off the TV, ask the kids/spouse to give you a few minutes to clear your mind and establish a game plan to ensure your future sanity.
Some would call this process meditation, however you do not have to get into the deep levels of contemplation and procedures. Just use this time to calm yourself and clear your mind so you can continue to working to achieve your goals and dreams.
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