We’re living in very trying and difficult times and things don’t seem to be getting any easier. Sometimes life can seem terribly painful and unfair, yet somehow we manage to struggle on, day after day, hoping and praying that things will soon get better.
Depression and Anxiety have consumed millions of people. The economy has collapsed causing record levels of debt and worry. The loss of jobs and homes have made the world a crazy and uncertain place to live.
Living in the 21st century has taken it’s toll on many people because of living with constant stress and anxiety. Time magazine did a story back in 2002 proclaiming that we are now living in the Age of Anxiety. The constant stress and worry was magnified by the attacks of September 11th and still several years later people have reported that they are still scared that something could happen again.
The information age is now a reality and everyday we are bombarded by disturbing images and news stories. These stories create a sense of dome and gloom that no one is completely safe anymore.
One of the biggest stress factors is the economy. Many Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs. The cost of housing, gas, and food has become astronomical which cause people to work jobs that are unacceptable because they need a paycheck.
Having more women in the workplace adds to the stress. So many women feel the need to be everything to everyone and that includes a paycheck earner, house keeper, mom, wife, daughter, and sibling. The only problem with that is some women just dont make any time for themselves thus contributing to their stress levels being at an all-time high. Even children can feel the pressure of stress and anxiety. Teenagers who want to go to college find themselves pushing themselves during their studies to try and obtain scholarships so they can attend schools that have ever increasing tuition costs.
They find themselves having to hold down part-time jobs on top of all that to earn money for extras that their parents can no longer afford. Add peer pressure into the mix and you have a veritable pressure cooker! Cell phones, internet, palm pilots, blackberries, i-pods ” we are always on the go and always reachable. We dont make time to relax and enjoy life any more. Why not? We certainly should! We feel pressure to do these things because we think we HAVE to, not because we WANT to. All too often, its difficult for people to just say No. Not saying that one little word piles up un-needed expectations and obligations that make us feel anxious.
Stress is normal but it becomes problematic when it takes control of our life. Everyone experiences stress, the reasons are many but the most common are money, livelihood, and family.
If stress is caused by us not feeling in control of a situation, the answer is to try and reverse this, and regain that control. The good news is: YOU CAN!
Chris has been writing articles for several years online. Come visit his latest website over at http://www.multi-purposeladder.com/ which helps people find the best multi purpose ladder for your next home improvement project!
