Today, I’d like to share some very real and relevant life changes that can create stress. If you have gone through any of the following within the last year you may have experienced stress.

Circumstances such as the death of a spouse, close family member, divorce, jail term, marital separation,personal injury of illness, marriage, job termination, marital reconciliation, retirement, change in health in family, change in financial status, death of a close friend,pregnancy, sex difficulties, gain of a new family member, change in number of arguments with spouse, change to a different kind of work, mortgage over $100,000.00, foreclosure of mortgage loan,change in work responsibilities, son or daughter leaving home, trouble with in-laws, outstanding personal achievement, wife/husband beginning or ending work, beginning or ending school, revision of personal habits, trouble with boss, change in work conditions,change in residence, change in school, change in recreation, change in social activities, mortgage less than $100,000.00, change in sleeping habits, change in number of family get-togethers, change in eating habits, vacation, minor law violations.

These are major life changes. Some may have been unwanted and others may have been welcomed. However, in either case they could have created both positive and negative stress. For example recognition for outstanding personal achievement, pregnancy, wife/husband beginning or ending work, retirement, change in recreation, marital reconciliation, change in eating habits, beginning or ending school, change in school, son or daughter leaving home, change in family get-togethers, change in residence, vacation are situations one may gladly embrace can create stress. Remember that stress is the wear and tear, caused by life. It is a state manifested by a specific syndrome of biological events and can be both pleasant or unpleasant. Life changes can bring about positive and negative stress.

A few of the less desirable changes that may have triggered unpleasant stress include sex difficulties, foreclosure or mortgage loan, trouble with in-laws, trouble with boss, change in sleeping habits, change in work conditions, minor law violations, divorce, fired from job, change in health in family, change in financial status (due to job loss), change in number of arguments with spouse, jail term, marital separation and change in family get-togethers.

For clarity purposes, if ones household income has changed due to a job termination or lay off causes loss of income that is stressful. When there is an increase of arguments with your spouse, the issues at hand may not be the real issue and that can be stressful. Depending on familial relationships, a change in the number of family get-togethers can also be stressful.

Let’s say for example a couple has been separated for three years but still attend family gatherings together. The date for a big surprise birthday celebration is less two months away and the family has agreed to meet weekly in order to organize and plan for the event. Refreshments and cocktails are served at the meeting, and 99% of the time this couple has one too many drinks and eventually ends up arguing and fighting. No one wants to confront the couple. The family figures they’re separated anyway. But at the same this couple is obviously creating a stressful environment for the rest of the family.

Do you have a few more life situations that could create stress? While reading through the list did you notice a common theme? Life is a series of changes. Change is inevitable. There will be times when a major life change has taken place and there was nothing that you could do about. But does that make the stress go away? The fact that you wanted things to turn out differently than they did could actually increase your level of stress.

I’ll leave you with this tip. Anytime you are faced with a life change try to avoid making decisions when you’re emotional, especially if you’re angry. Accept the situation for what it is, but if at all possible take a few days to really think things through. To do otherwise would create more stress, on top of what you’re currently dealing with.

Views: 5

Comment

You need to be a member of Black Preaching Network to add comments!

Join Black Preaching Network

© 2024   Created by Raliegh Jones Jr..   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service