Stress and anxiety have become a more common occurrence than you would think. More and more Americans admit that they experience some form of pressure in their day-to-day living. Not only are the causes unique to every individual, but most people agree that the social stigma against getting mental health care results in denial. Many Americans like you probably won’t own up to the fact that they need help – either from an expert psychologist or from their friends and family members to ease some of the pressure.
The Statistics are Certainly Disturbing
Results of a survey conducted by the TIME magazine show that stress and anxiety are more widespread in the year 2018 than in the previous year. Close to 40 million people or 18% of the population of the country have some kind of anxiety disorder. About 68% cited family security and health as their main triggers while 67% were worried about keeping up with their family expenses and paying bills on time. It may surprise you to know that family relationships are the cause for the stress experienced by 48% of the respondents.
Perhaps, the most worrying statistic says that 86% of the people going through stress are fully aware of the effects that stress has on their health.
The First Step to Relieving Stress and Anxiety is to Identify the Triggers
Considering that most people are aware of the causes of their stress is a reassuring prospect. For instance, if knowing that making enough money to take care of your family is stressing you out, you’ll find ways to cope. You may consider getting a part-time second job. Or, you may talk to your partner about cutting back on expenses until your financial situation is more stable. But, often the stress and anxiety are triggered by factors that you’re unaware of. Identifying those factors could help you overcome the depression and have a better quality of life. Ask yourself these questions.
Are Hormone Imbalances Causing the Depression?
As you near the age of 35, your endocrine system starts producing lower amounts of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones are responsible for your body making the transition through puberty and maintain the right balance so you remain fertile through your adult years. Women need these hormones to conceive, carry, and deliver normal babies. But, once the hormone levels start to wane, you’ll experience several symptoms. These signs include hot flashes, lower libido, fatigue, weakening bones, and a less muscle mass. One of the key symptoms is mood swings and depression.
By replacing these hormones, you can improve the imbalances and restore your quality of life. Click on this link https://bhrcenter.com/hormone-replacement-therapy/ to learn about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This treatment involves taking supplements regularly of a medicine that is derived from plants. These supplements replace the waning hormones without causing any side effects and are safe to use.
Are You Unhappy Working at Your Current Job?
Read this feature on WebMD that talks about how people experience stress and anxiety because of the work they do. Go ahead and take a good hard look at your career. Are you dealing with a heavy workload for an inadequate salary? Are you unsure about the future prospects of the post and possible career advancement? Do your boss and colleagues have unrealistic expectations of you? Do you feel like your skills are wasted at your current position and you can perform much better? Or, maybe, you’re facing some kind of harassment or discrimination at work.
Explore these questions with a trusted friend or family member. If needed, work with a career counselor to help you understand the direction in which your future is heading. Identify the steps you can take to relieve the stress and anxiety. Like, maybe, talking to your boss or the HR personnel about the challenges you’re facing at work or looking for a better-paying or more satisfying job.
Are You Going Through Some Major Life Changes?
Change is a part of life and as you move forward, dealing with the new circumstances can cause stress and anxiety. For instance, you may have recently married or moved to a new city. Or, you may have gone through a difficult divorce or mourning the death of a loved one. All of these situations can upset your regular lifestyle and present new challenges that you’re not ready to face. Read this article on Psychology Today that reveals how many people are simply not equipped to manage changing life circumstances. Several factors can cause this to happen such as fear of the expenses involved or not being able to cope with new surroundings. Or, even the fear of being alone.
If you recognize any of these factors, it may be a good idea to ease into the change in small comfortable steps. And, get all the help you can from the people in your life. Signing up for counseling is also a good plan. Or, take up meditation or yoga to help you with the stress and anxiety.
Are You Going Through Health Issues?
While tension and depression can result in health issues, sometimes the reverse is also true. Your health could be causing you to feel the stress and anxiety. Are you getting adequate sleep? Do you have chronic pain? Are you feeling fatigued and have lost your appetite? Are you experiencing digestive distress? All of these signs could be indicating a deeper health issue that needs to be resolved.
Consult your medical practitioner and request for a complete health workup. Find out what is causing your health issues and make sure to get the right treatment. Once you feel better, you might just find that the stress and anxiety have vanished. You may now feel more energetic and in control of your life.
Depression, stress, tension, anxiety are all a part of your life. But, when you find that it is becoming chronic and harder to cope, it may be time to understand the root cause of the unease. Getting professional help to sort through your problems may also be the key. Eliminate the causes and you’ll find peace and calm returning along with a better quality of life.
