If you are a human being, then stress is a part of life. Pretty much every person on this planet will have been through at least one stressful situation in their life, and most of us will have had multiple stressful events to deal with.
Unfortunately, stress can be bad for us. Most only can it lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, but it can increase our risk of various physical illnesses like high blood pressure and obesity too.
So, it is really important that we all do what we can to minimize stress in our lives. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of some of the most stressful experiences you are ever likely to experience, and what you can do to handle them well and avoid them becoming overwhelmingly stressful.
Divorce
There is no denying that getting divorced can be extremely stressful. Not only do you have to come to terms with the fact that your partner may have fallen out of love with you, or you them, but you also have to deal with the thorny issues of parental access and splitting your assets too. If you are not prepared for it, a divorce can really make you feel quite unwell.
Of course, it is more than possible to deal with the stress of divorce more effectively so that it does not hurt you as much, start by trying to keep things amicable. Yes, your partner may have wronged you, but there is no point raking it all up when your marriage is ending anyway, and if you keep things amicable, it is less likely that you will end up fighting over access to the kids or who gets the summer house.
If you find it hard to keep things amicable, then mediation is often good as it enables both parties to air their issues and talk things through with the help of a trained counselor who can keep things from descending into a full-blown fallout.
It’s also a good idea to talk to a close friend who really understands what you are going through and who will provide you with a non-judgmental shoulder whenever you need one.
Moving house
Moving house has been listed as one of the most stressful experiences we humans can ever go through, and although it might not be quite as traumatic as a divorce or bereavement, for example, it can bring a lot of pressure to the fore.
Probably, the best thing you can do to minimize the stress of a house move is to ensure that you call in a professional moving company that will do everything for you and that has lots of experience in dealing with the kind of move you are making.
Many people try to save money by handling their own moves, but in the process, they lose their own sanity! They get stressed out, family rows break out and they end up breaking things. It really is so much better to simply pay a little extra to have a professional moving company come in and take the stress of moving away.
Losing a loved one
There is nothing quite like the pain of losing a loved one, so it is not surprising that it is one of the most stressful events. What makes losing a loved one so stressful, is not just the event itself, but also the fact that you may well have to deal with funeral arrangements, will readings, and other administrative tasks at the same time.
How do you deal with this kind of stress? Hiring a good lawyer who can take care of talk of the arrangements on your behalf is a good way to lift the weight of the burden that comes with losing a loved one and having to do all of the admin. It gives you the space and time you need to drive without having to worry about the estate.
If you are struggling with feelings of bereavement, then speaking to a trained bereavement counselor is also a really good idea because they will help you to work through your feelings and focus more on the positives such as the many great things the person who has passed has brought to your life.
Of course, losing someone you loved is something that takes a lot of time to heal from, so don’t beat yourself up if it’s taking you longer than you think it should to deal. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and as long as you have lots of help and support, it is fine to feel your feelings for as long as you feel them. It really is okay.
Imprisonment
Hopefully, this is not something you will ever have to deal with but being detained is one of the most stressful life events anyone can experience. If you or a loved one are incarcerated and you are finding it hard to cope, it is worth taking the time to use your detention as a way to learn new things. From reading more books to gaining a degree, it is possible to improve yourself or encourage your loved ones to do so, when they are incarcerated, and doing so will not only take their minds off their predicament somewhat but also present them with better opportunities to build a life for themselves when they get out.
If you are struggling with the stress and worry of having a close friend or family member in prison, then seeing a counselor to help you come to terms with your feelings can be useful. As can regularly writing to, calling with, and visiting the person who is imprisoned so you know how they are doing, and you feel like you are doing your part to help them with their situation.
Illness or Injury
If you are suddenly struck down with a serious illness or injury which prevents you from doing the things you are so used to doing, from working your job and providing for your family, to playing sports or indulging in a hobby, it can be completely devastating and more stressful than you might have thought possible.
First and foremost, make sure you are getting the right medical treatment, Once that is sorted, look into government assistance to see if there is any help you can get to pay the bills. There are lots of charities that will help you with this. Next, try to find things to keep your mind occupied, even if it is just doing a crossword each morning or reading a good book. Counseling, again, may also be helpful at this difficult time, but the support of a spouse, friend, or family member can be invaluable too.
Marriage
Marriage might be a joyous occasion but planning one can be a huge stress. Luckily, these days, we have wedding planners who can take your vision and make it a reality, So, if you can afford to pay one, it really is worth doing so to take the stress out away while also ensuring that you both get the day of your dreams water that may be.
Avoiding any stressful situations in your life is probably impossible, but what is not impossible is learning how to better deal with these stressful events, so that they do not affect you nearly so much as they otherwise might. The tips above will certainly help you with that, but of course, you need to put them into practice for that to happen!
