Stress is one of the most common mental health issues in adults. And what’s concerning is that stress is the catalyst for more serious mental health conditions from developing. Multiple studies had shown that people in the UAE who are diagnosed with chronic disorders or depression are usually stressed before these health conditions developed.

A 2016 Global report by Steelcase showed that 42% of the 700 UAE workers questioned chose stressful as the word to describe their workplace. The global average of adults suffering from stress is 35%, and the UAE is only faired better than South Africa, which is a very concerning statistic.

Read More:

It is essential to understand why we stress, what triggers it, and how can we deal with it. It is because stress can hinder your behavior with others, cause sleep difficulty, affect your work as well as cause problems in your relationship.

If stress goes unchecked and develops over a longer period, issues such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, poor weight management, skin problems, fertility complications for women and heart complications will rise.

Stress Triggers

Stress for No Reason

1. Poor Lifestyle Habits

A reason why we stress more than we need to is that we lack organization in our lives. By not organizing your day, having no schedule, not prioritizing matters over one another will cause stress as we are unable to manage or handle our daily activities. It can make small matters that cause stress, snowball into larger ones, and once this affects our mood, anything can make us stressed, even to the smallest things.

2. Snowballing Stress

Like a snowball, the more snow it comes in contact with, the larger it becomes in size. Stress is the same, too. When you can’t manage our stress levels, we allow our mood to manifest and increase our stress levels. For example, if you encounter a trigger that causes you great stress, every other matter that follows that, no matter how little can worsen your stress levels and mood, including the ones that do not matter, all because you are unable to manage your priorities and emotions.

3. Surrounded by Stress Triggers

Being in an environment or situation you know will cause stress, is the reason why people will stress without knowing why. For adults, workplace, boss or a bad relationship are the most common stress triggers. For students, stress usually presents when studying a topic that is too difficult, preparing for an assignment or exam. When you surrounded by stress triggers and can’t manage it, you’ll likely to feel stress all the time.

4. Other Mental Health Complications

Other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, temper problems are extra causes for stress. These can be avoided by knowing how to manage them. Sometimes other mental health complications mean having to find support and help from others, including your doctor. In cases of mental disorders, your doctor may prescribe you with medicine as well as other source material to help you manage stress.

How to Stress Less?

Stress for No Reason

1. Organize Your Life Better

Develop skills so you can plan your day, create a schedule so you decrease the number of surprises in your daily life that can trigger stress. By organizing your day before going through all your activities, you’ll have a better idea of what your priorities are, what needs more attention than the other, avoid what causes you stress, and prevent it from snowballing into bigger problems.

2. Stay Away or Remove Stress Triggers

Identify what causes your stress and try to avoid them or develop ways to remove the stigma of stress from them. For example, if you are in a bad relationship with another person, either avoid that person or find ways to improve the relationship so that it won’t cause you stress.

3. Find Calming or Relaxing Practices

Find a time in your day where you can incorporate an activity that can bring your stress levels down, calm your nerves as well as make you relaxed. Find a hobby that brings you joy and improves your mood.

Exercises such as meditation, breathing, and physical activity are great for people to blow off steam, increase the endorphins and calm their minds. It is also good for other mental health conditions, such as temper problems, anxiety, and depression.

4. Eat and Exercise Better

Having a healthy body that is well fed, hydrated and fit, will undoubtedly help your mental health as well. Apart from the endorphin rush you experience from physical exercise when your body feels better, so will your mind. Your health becomes one less thing to worry about, and your body will have the energy and fuel to run you through your daily schedule.

When to See a Doctor

Stress for No Reason

When stress becomes too much and doesn’t seem like it can be handled on your own, you can always reach out for support. Stress is a feeling that everyone feels so you never have to feel like you’re battling it on your own. You can always speak to a friend, a family member or a support network with individuals going through the same experience as you.

If your mental health doesn’t seem to be getting better after speaking with people, talk with your doctor. They will be able to diagnose what the problem is and prescribe you with medicine.

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner if you keep fighting with stress for no reason.