Imagine unexpectedly losing a job, a house, or a significant other and having no idea what to do next. This is a prime example of a stressful situation and only one of the several different causes of daily stress that effect the majority of the country’s population. In fact, most causes of stress originate from various complications dealing with money, work, politics, and relationships. Ultimately though, stress is a significant part of every day life and although it can be manageable, it can also be a contributing factor to ill health.

According to a study from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, seven out of ten adults experience stress and anxiety almost every day. For many people, this can be a struggle to overcome, but for others it isn’t as big of an issue if managed correctly. Although it may not always show, many people suffer from anxiety surrounding societal pressures which can effect the human body both physically and emotionally. Furthermore, stress and a human’s tendency to overthink is known to entice headaches, sleep problems, weight gain, and skin issues. The emotional struggles caused by stress include anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability, and depression.

All of these result from the constant ‘what if” questions that everyone is prone to asking themselves. People tend to think negatively about situations and stress about unfortunate outcomes, leading to an unstable state of mind.

However, there are solutions to either help relieve or prevent stress in one’s life. One way would simply be listening to music, whether it be calming or rock and roll. A few other solutions include exercising, reading, or practicing yoga. When exercising, endorphins are released from the body which create a happier state of mind. Reading a book distracts the mind from reality by allowing the reader to be transported into a story or interesting article. Yoga calms the body’s nerves and allows the mind to take a step back and handle situations with a stress-free approach.

While everyone does handle stress differently, with the right plan, anyone can overcome it.