What causes stress?

Stress is caused by stimulation overload. Your ability to work is a good indicator of stress. With too little stimulation you are likely to perform badly. With the right amount you will be at your peak. But when your workload or events in your life become overbearing, your ability to cope will deteriorate. Life events are an obvious cause of stress. A death in the family is at the top of the list of bad events that can cause stress. Yet even good events can cause stress. Moving to a new house, gaining promotion at work or even retirement could be welcome events but they all involve change and that can cause stress. Even imagined events can cause stress. These really are worries: you might lose your job, you might be ill, you might not be able to pay the rent.

Stressful events – they all add up

Events such as these take their toll. A death is usually the most burdensome event to affect our lives but other events, even happy ones, can add to the total stress level.