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Dyanna San
ENG 111-32
Cause-Effect Essay
April 4, 2016
The Causes of Stress
People respond in different ways to events and situations. Sometimes, people may handle
stress in ways that make bad situations worse by reacting with emotions of anger, guilt,
fear, anxiety, and moodiness. 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. 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 top 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
to deal with them. Working long hours help to create overload, as well as the sense that there is

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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 too much work to do can
make a person more stressed. Feeling unsatisfied with your work or finding your job too
demanding can lead to chronic stress (Stress Management).
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 difficult to make. 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 lead to stress in a
relationship. Some contributory causes would be lack of intimacy, or needs not being met. We 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. 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. When two people live together, the stress can feel worse because you cant remove
yourself from the conflict (Healthline).
Losing your job or not being able to find work can also add to 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 source of stress. 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.
In this society, where so much emphasis is on what you have and what you can afford, financial
stress is something that nearly everyone can relate to. Unemployment can be a health risk to

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some people, because of feelings of helplessness and shame. It is important for unemployed
individuals to stay motivated and pursue a healthy lifestyle.
Stress levels will differ in everyone based on an individuals personality and how he or
she responds to situations (Causes and Effects). Some people can handle stress and difficult
situations. To them, difficulties in work or life are just minor stressors. Others react with feelings
of worry or anxiety, which makes the situation worse for them. Work overload, unemployment,
and relationship conflicts are just a few of the countless causes of stress. 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.
"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.