Nearly 75% of adults in the US are experiencing moderate to high amounts of stress, at least according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. [1] That’s more than half of the country. Can you believe that most of us today are bombarded by stress? Not only that, but there are a number of consequences due to chronic stress. It makes you wonder whether or not our modern health crisis is either caused or influenced by stress. Some of the side effects of stress include heartburn, insomnia, reproductive issues, high blood pressure, stomachaches, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), heart attacks, headaches, anxiety, depression, blood sugar imbalances, inflammation, weight gain or loss, hormone imbalances, and poor immunity (you know, to name a few). Clearly, stress is more than just a panic attack or pressure. [2] [3] [4]

It’s a serious problem that keeps growing stronger the more we choose to ignore it.

What’s even worse is the fact that stress is hiding right underneath our noses. There are plenty of hidden sources of stress that we may be experiencing without even knowing it. So, rather than go over the typical run-of-the-mill stressors that we’re all used to hearing about (poor sleep, bad diet, lack of exercise, etc.), I’m going to be uncovering the “hidden” sources of stress that we’re exposing ourselves to, and few simple ways to deal with each of them. Are you ready to find out? Then let’s get started.

Social Media

If there was one controversial source of stress out there, social media would definitely be in the running lead. Right now, the debate is that social media is either killing society or simply being misused. While I’d much prefer the latter, I do understand that it’s caused a fair amount of unnecessary stress. Fear of missing out, otherwise known as FOMO, is all the more relevant now that we have a window into almost everyone’s lives. What we see on social media tends to make us compare ourselves to those we follow. We see people relaxing by the pool, visiting exotic places, and living a “perfect” life filled with beauty, luxury, and optimistic quotes. These people seem smarter, prettier, richer, and more successful than us. Who can blame anyone for experiencing FOMO and getting stuck into a game of comparisons?

What to do: My suggestion is to run an audit on your social media account. Check and see who you’re following, and for what reasons. Does this person make you feel inferior or depressed? Is there always a nagging sense of vulnerability or hopelessness whenever they show up on your feed? Don’t be afraid to do an “unfollow” cleanse- stop watching the people who are causing you this type of stress. And on top of that, set some boundaries. Stop spending so much time online; go on a social media “detox” and connect with your real life outside of the digital space!

(Read more about technology and anxiety here.)

Clutter

Fun fact: the more clutter you have, the more cluttered your thoughts will be. Research out of Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute shows that the visual display of disorganized, cluttered spaces hinders our ability to stay focused, causing us to feel distracted and overwhelmed. [5] If we’re all over the place trying to concentrate, imagine what that will do to our mood as we continue making mistakes. Not only that, can you imagine what it must feel like to work in a dirty environment? There’s a reason why our parents told us to tidy up! It’s not just about appearances; it’s about our moods, too. And how do you expect to get anything done on top of that?

What to do: Be your own parent and start cleaning up. Make your bed. Throw away things you don’t really need. Take out the trash, take care of any dust or dirt. At least once a week make sure that everything is in tip-top shape!

Saying YES to everything

Are you a “Yes-Man” personality type? Do you immediately agree to anything that someone asks you to do without really thinking what it might involve? Or do you often say “yes” even when you really don’t want to? While being selfless is admirable, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your well-being. News flash: you are under no obligation to do everything and anything. If you’re taking in too many tasks without a break, you’re going to be stretching yourself too thin. And if you’re not careful, you’ll wind up making mistakes and letting people down. How can you expect to be help people if you’re not at your best?

What to do: Become a “Maybe-Man”. Only agree to something if you’re willing and able to do it. You should not have to worry or stress over it. Picking up your niece from school? Sure, why not? Picking up your niece and her friends from school, driving them back home in rush-hour traffic, feeding them dinner, and babysitting them for the rest of the night (all on a Friday)? You may want to reconsider that. Be honest with yourself here. While it’s hard to say no (especially with our friends and family), it’s even harder to deal with the mental, physical, and emotional baggage that comes with doing everything for everyone and nothing for ourselves. Strike a balance here and make sure that your needs are met, too. Instead of doing six different things at once, try sticking to just a few. Or none at all if you’re plate is already full as it is.

Negative Mindset

It’s true what they say about being your own worst enemy. The power of the mind is not to be underestimated. Those negative thoughts in your head are like daggers to your well-being. Things like internal name-calling (i.e., fat, ugly, stupid, worthless, etc.), comparisons (you’re not X enough), and even just our perspective can all strain our psyche. Are you always looking for something to complain about? Do you see things with a “half empty” state of mind? Either way, our wild “monkey mind” can certainly get the best of us when left unchecked. And don’t forget the famous saying of “perfectionism is the thief of joy”. Imagine all of the energy you’re putting into in order to maintain some idea of perfection. That same energy can literally drain you!

What to do: Tame that wild monkey! Just because you think a certain way does not mean it’s true, nor does it mean you should be a victim of it. Practice self-awareness here and spend a day with your brain. Pay attention to your thoughts and look for any trails that lead you down a dark path. Are you always picking away at yourself by looking for imperfections? Is your go-to setting a negative one that’s always giving you reason complain? Get to know your state of mind, and make an effort to replace the bad with the good. You can do this with things like journaling, meditation, and mental “check-ins” throughout the day (set an alarm on your phone if you have to).

(For further reading, check out this post here.)

Over to You

And there you have it, everyone! Just a few of the hidden stressors you may not have realized. While I’m certain there’s more to be found, these are just a few of the top ones I’ve noticed over the years. But what do you think? Do you have any sources of stress that aren’t commonly talked about? Share with me in the comments below! Who knows, maybe I’ll write up a part two!

Sources:

[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201711/stress-in-america-is-gnawing-away-our-overall-well-being
[2] https://www.stress.org/daily-life
[3] https://www.rn.com/featured-stories/stress-inflammation-immunity/
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
[5] https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-case-for-finally-cleaning-your-desk