Stress & Mental Health- Three Contributing Factors and Solutions

As a continuing part of our conversation during Mental Health

Awareness Month, this article will address how stress affects mental health and what we can do to prevent it.

First, we must understand that stress is unavoidable. It is an emotional reaction and physical tension that results from a real or imaginary event. Stress is unavoidable. Even if someone is living a life of comfort and financial security, there will still be unexpected or uncomfortable situations that cause emotional discomfort and angst. No situation or bubble would prevent a person from experiencing life’s ups and downs. However, despite the predictable, unpredictability of everyday life and unwanted events, we do have more control over stress than we think.

Of the three main causes of stress, there are three anecdotes as well.

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Factor #1 – Feeling overwhelmed by too much pressure – too many things to accomplish.

Sometimes there’s not enough to do and other times it feels like we’re under an avalanche of responsibilities. Certain times of the year like tax season, the holidays, or work deadlines can cause an overload of tasks. Natural disasters can be overwhelming when they affect our homes and workplaces. ?The thought of getting everything done might seem impossible.

When we feel overwhelmed, we might feel a sense of dread and tend to avoid the amount of pending work.

There’s an old expression, “If you want to move a mountain, you have to do it one shovel of dirt at a time.” If you don’t pick up the shovel you can’t make progress. But you don’t have to be overwhelmed either. Managing your time and doing a little every day, making a To-Do list and checking it off, and staying in front of the work instead of behind it can be extremely helpful in minimizing stress. It’s easier to face progress than a mountain that cannot move on its own.

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Factor # 2 - Feeling emotionally overwhelmed regarding a relationship.

Stability makes us feel safer and secure. Turbulence in any relationship – work, romance, family – can cause emotional upheaval.

One way to manage relationship stress is to have a clear understanding of the agreements. If your mutual understanding (in any relationship) is laid out and everyone has agreed to the terms and conditions, then the chance of misunderstanding is greatly reduced.

If someone avoids owning their part when they make a mistake or something goes wrong, the relationship stress increases. Eventually, the stress becomes greater than the benefits and ultimately derails the relationship. No one is perfect and things happen. When mistakes are made and the person holds themselves accountable for that mistake, the relationship can deepen and move forward.

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Factor # 3 - Having runaway thoughts.

It’s our thoughts and not the events in our lives that cause most of our stress. We don’t want something to happen. We decide we don’t like what’s going on. Based on our thoughts and perceptions of a situation, we resist and try to exert control of the outcome. This only makes for more turmoil.

If we could embrace whatever comes our way and tell ourselves, “I accept this and know that things will work out for the best,” or “I’m uncomfortable but I choose to grow through this.” Or, instead of saying, “I don’t like this,” you could say, “I choose to accept this.” By changing our perception, we then have control over our physiological and psychological reactions. Over time, you can learn how to remain calm no matter what the external circumstances. Like any skill, it simply takes practice.

Nothing is more important than your mental health. One guarantee you have in life is that it’s always changing. Change is uncomfortable. We can’t control external events, but when we practice acceptance, stay on top of things, have clear agreements, and manage our reactions, we can learn how to have peace of mind regardless of the stressors in our lives.

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If you want to connect with Dr. Donna Marks and find out about her tools and programs on how to?Reclaim Your Power Over Addiction, visit her website?https://drdonnamarks.com/.

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Dr. Donna Marks has been a licensed psychotherapist and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida, for over thirty years. In 1989, Dr. Marks developed a chemical dependency training program at Palm Beach Community College, which has grown into a four-year degree and received the Florida Governor’s Council Award. She is also a certified gestalt therapist, psychoanalyst, hypnotist, and sex therapist. She’s been a facilitator of A Course in Miracles for over 30 years. She shares her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts, radio, and TV shows. Learn more about Dr. Marks, her books: Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Solution, Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, and A Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes Into Miracles, her services, and free offers at https://drdonnamarks.com

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