Most people today live with pressures that do not even exist. The list of burdens that the average person has to carry for a large part of his or her life is undeniably long and sometimes justifiable.

There can be numerous reasons for a stressful situation. Increasingly competitive job markets and business environments demanding higher degrees of skill, competence, and resources to succeed. Those lacking in any of these areas fall behind and often end up struggling against financial constraints that erode the quality of their lives.

Moreover, for those who have to support a family, the burdens multiply. Ensuring the safety and well-being of one’s loved ones, providing a decent education to the children and meeting the family’s lifestyle aspirations, all add to the responsibilities of the average householder.

Consequently, one can safely assume that people in nearly every part of the world have the concerns mentioned earlier, but they weigh heavier on those facing difficult circumstances. If one is poor or unemployed, survival can become a daily struggle, especially in countries that don’t offer social security to their citizens.

Conditions in the places we live in can have a big impact on our lives. Political or economic upheaval, natural calamities, and armed conflict can dramatically alter our circumstances and turn a life of comfort into one of misery.

At a more personal level, a death or illness in the family, a lawsuit, a failure or downturn in business, or sudden joblessness can put one under a lot of pressure.