Everyone has different stress triggers. However, work stress tops the list! According to surveys, one-quarter of US workers say work is the biggest source of stress in their lives. Personally, the worst times in my life have always been largely because of work-related experiences. If you are in this situation yourself, please remember that a good boss can make all the difference. Maybe you could casually start looking for another job...

Causes of work stress include:

Being unhappy in your job

Having a heavy workload

An unreasonable amount of responsibility

Working long hours

Having poor management and/or rude management

Unclear expectations of your work,

Having little or no say in the decision-making process

Working under dangerous conditions

Working in un-healthy environments (Extreme heat and/or extreme cold)

Being insecure about your performance abilities

Constant fear/risk of termination

Having to do public speaking at work

Life stresses can also have a big impact.

Examples of life stresses are:

The death of a loved one

Divorce

Loss of a job/ income

Getting married

Moving to a new home

Increase in financial obligations

Chronic illness, injury and/or pain

Emotional problems (anxiety, depression and low self-esteem)

A traumatic event

What can you do to change your stress level?

How you react to what is happening around you is a big part of your stress level. Some people seem barely phased by events. Others are able to work through situations and find that life stresses are just minor bumps in the road. Then, there are people like me, who literally worry themselves sick. This is not a figure of speech, you can literally get sick from stress.

You have probably heard this before, but this time I hope you understand why it's so important:

You CAN'T change your situation, but you CAN change how you choose to deal with it.

You can stress yourself out just by worrying about things.

All of these factors can lead to stress:

Fear and uncertainty. When you are watching the news, please take comfort in knowing that if I took the worst of the day and put it together in one hour... it will make every day look terrible. Journalists tend to make very vivid coverage that makes all kinds of tragedies seem more likely to occur than they really are.

When you are watching the news, please take comfort in knowing that if I took the worst of the day and put it together in one hour... it will make every day look terrible. Journalists tend to make very vivid coverage that makes all kinds of tragedies seem more likely to occur than they really are. Attitudes and perceptions. I tried to find a way to say this that didn't sound like something you can read off of the libraries mug as she drinks her morning coffee... but I really couldn't so... "Try to look for the Silver Lining" and "Think of the glass as half full."

I tried to find a way to say this that didn't sound like something you can read off of the libraries mug as she drinks her morning coffee... but I really couldn't so... "Try to look for the Silver Lining" and "Think of the glass as half full." Attitudes and perceptions—Part Two. Okay let me try that again. There is research and proof behind the fact that people who feel like they're doing a good job at work will be less stressed out by a big upcoming project... however, those who worry that they are incompetent will continue to struggle. By this I mean, it's highly probable that your boss is being too hard on you. So please try not to take all the negative nonsense too seriously. He/She is being a jerk.

Okay let me try that again. There is research and proof behind the fact that people who feel like they're doing a good job at work will be less stressed out by a big upcoming project... however, those who worry that they are incompetent will continue to struggle. By this I mean, it's highly probable that your boss is being too hard on you. So please try not to take all the negative nonsense too seriously. He/She is being a jerk. Unrealistic expectations. No one is perfect and that's okay. Mistakes make great learning opportunities. Please don't be too hard on yourself. I bet your boss already does that for you.

No one is perfect and that's okay. Mistakes make great learning opportunities. Please don't be too hard on yourself. I bet your boss already does that for you. Change. It turns out, people don't handle major life changes well. Even happy events like a wedding or a job promotion can be stressful. However, there are also much darker changes that are harder to over come.

Hello. Nice to meet you! How are you? Hmm... this feels like a really one-sided conversation... why don't you follow me on social media so I can get to know you, too?

About the Author

I started blogging about two years ago and my collection of blogs and articles is getting pretty impressive. I’ve taken online classes for writing and even some classes about the art of blogging itself. It would be really awesome if you join the adventure and maybe even help me think of what to write about next. If you would like to submit some feedback or ideas, you can always tweet me on Twitter.

Like the story? Share it!

Thank you for reading my article. Would it be okay if I ask another favour though? Would it be okay if you share this on your Facebook page or Twitter? If you can't share, there is a tiny little donate box at the bottom too. No pressure though, just thought I would mention it.