We experience stress in response to a trigger. This trigger sets off a chain of events in the body and we notice the sensations of the stress response. When this goes on for too long or in response to too many triggers, it is easy to lose sight of what is actually happening to us. We get absorbed in the experience of stress and the difficulties this brings day to day and so the stress effectively takes on a life of its own.
To begin to understand stress better we must first know what we are reacting to.
There are 3 main areas that stress triggers fall into; external, internal and emotional.
[divider number=”1″ title= “External Stress Triggers”]
These triggers are things that are happening in your life or in your immediate physical surroundings that you perceive as stressful. Some examples of external stress triggers are:
Traffic
A meeting
Too much on the ‘to do list’
An argument with your partner
Losing your wallet
Missing your bus
[divider number=”2″ title= “Internal Stress Triggers”]
These triggers are things that happen within us that our body reacts to with the stress response. If you feel you get stressed when you have quiet time alone with your thoughts, internal stress triggers are definitely an issue for you. Some examples of internal triggers are:
Self criticism
Expecting too much of yourself
Frustration that you are not more assertive
Feeling frightened of stress symptoms/how your body feels
[divider number=”3″ title= “Emotional Stress Triggers”]
These triggers are often easier to identify but more difficult to change in any practical way. Some examples of emotional triggers are:
Your son/daughter being bullied
Caring for elderly parents
Struggling to get pregnant
Illness
Divorce or marriage problems
Having a baby
Try This…
Spend 1 day tracking what triggers a stress response in you. Try to tune in with yourself for that day so you can be aware of every time you experience a rise in your feelings of stress. Note down what happened just before you felt that change in your stress levels. This was your stress trigger. Do this for a whole day to get a sense of what is contributing to your stress.
Remember, you cant change what you don’t understand so gaining this awareness through tracking your stress triggers is crucial in you gaining control over your stress.