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Dyanna San
ENG 111-32
Cause-Effect Essay
April 4, 2016
The Causes of Stress
People respond to events and situations in different ways. Sometimes, people may handle
stress in ways that make bad situations even worse by reacting with emotions of anger, guilt,
fear, and anxiety. Others may face life's challenges with ease. The most popular definition of
stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension (Daily Life). Stress can be caused
by a physical or emotional change, or a change in your environment that requires you to adjust or
respond. Things that make you feel stressed are called "stressors." Stressors can be minor
hassles, major lifestyle changes, or a combination of both (Stress and Heart Disease).
Stressors can add up and become just as bad for your health as chronic stress. Chronic stress is
caused by stressful situations or events that last over a long period of time; for example,
problems at work or conflicts in your family (Stress Management). Over time, chronic stress
can lead to severe health problems. Identifying stressors and releasing the tension they cause are
helpful to managing stress. Some common stressors that can affect people at all stages of life are
work overload, problems in a personal relationship, and unemployment (Stress and Heart
Disease).
According to the article Daily Life by The American Institute of Stress, job pressure is
the number one cause of stress in the United States, and work overload is one of the main factors
of job pressure. The severity of job stress depends on the amount of the demands that are being
made and the individuals sense of control and decision-making skills to deal with them
(Workplace Stress). Work overload happens when job demands exceed an individual's ability

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to deal with them. Working long hours eventually creates overload, as well as the sense that there
is too much to do in too little time. Having a job means having an increase in responsibility and
taking on extra duties. Being unable to refuse new tasks and having no control over your work or
job duties can make a person more stressed. People who feel like they have no control at work
are most likely to get stress-related illnesses (Managing Job Stress). Hence, feeling
unsatisfied with your work or finding your job too demanding can lead to chronic stress (Stress
Management). Also, another factor that can cause a person stress is problems within a personal
relationship.
A relationship problem is the fourth top cause of stress in the United States (Daily
Life). Problems in a personal relationship may not lead to chronic stress; however, they are a
big stressor in many peoples lives. A committed relationship is all about the joining of two lives,
and that includes each others family and friends, which can be another source of stress. Figuring
out how to spend time with different people in your lives can be a difficult decision to make.
Specifically, the main cause for stress in any relationship, whether its platonic or romantic is
making time for each other to be in each others presence. Conflicts between the desires for time
together can build up a stressful relationship.
Some contributory causes of stress in relationships are lack of intimacy, needs not being
met, disagreements, or misunderstandings. People all need time, support, and independence in
relationships, but it can be difficult to meet the needs of others when we still have to make sure
our own needs are fulfilled. In addition, identifying common relationship stressors and dealing
with them are important to dismissing relationship conflicts. If conflicts in a relationship are not
dealt with, it can result to arguments, which can increase stress even more. Thus, when two
people live together, the stress can feel worse because you cant remove yourself from the

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conflict (Healthline). With this amounting to overwhelming personal problems, a lack of money
along with being unemployed is the top second cause for ones stress (Daily Life).
Losing your job or not being able to find work significantly increases your stress level.
Losing a job is a major change in your life, and it may lead to financial trouble. Financial
concern is a common cause of stress. In society, nearly everyone can relate to financial stress
because there is so much emphasis on personal possessions. The pressure of credit card debt,
paying rent, the inability to provide for a family, or not being able to make ends meet can put a
serious amount of stress on a person (Healthline). Moreover, unemployment can be a health risk
to some people because of feelings of helplessness and shame. It is important for unemployed
individuals to stay motivated and pursue a healthy lifestyle. With this mindset, these same
individuals can decrease their chances of becoming overwhelmingly stressed out.
Ultimately, there are many causes of stress that people experience on a daily basis. Work
overload, unemployment, and relationship conflicts are just a few of the countless causes of
stress. Stress levels will differ for everyone based on an individuals personality and how he or
she responds to situations (Causes and Effects). People who can handle stress perceive
difficulties in work or life just as minor stressors. Other people who cannot handle difficult
situations react with feelings of worry or anxiety, which makes the situation worse and causes
overwhelming stress for them. It is normal to have some stress, but it is unhealthy to be under
stress for a long period of time. Identifying the stressors in your life and releasing the pressure
they cause are helpful to managing stress. Managing your stress can make a real difference in
your life.

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Works Cited
"Causes and Effects of Stress: Family, Work, Health, and Other Stress Factors." WebMD.
WebMD, 2016. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
"Daily Life." The American Institute of Stress. The American Institute of Stress, n.d. Web. 27
Mar. 2016.
Healthline Editorial Team. "Causes of Stress." Healthline. Healthline Media, 27 Oct. 2010. Web.
29 Mar. 2016.
"Managing Job Stress-Overview." WebMD. WebMD, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
"Stress and Heart Disease." MedicineNet. MedicineNet, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
"Stress Management-Causes of Stress." WebMD. WebMD, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.
"Workplace Stress." The American Institute of Stress. The American Institute of Stress, n.d. Web.
27 Mar. 2016.