What causes stress?
Stress arises principally from situations where you feel overwhelmed and out of control or when
you lack sufficient support from others. It could be the demands of children and family, escalating
work pressures, relationship difficulties, illness or financial worries. Compounding the problem are
internal characteristics like high expectations of yourself, perfectionism and an inclination to see
change as a threat rather than an opportunity.
How common is stress?
If you suffer from stress, remember you are not alone: the World Health Organization describes
stress as a worldwide epidemic. In recent research carried out among over a thousand
housewives and working mothers in several European countries, 40% said they felt stressed
quite often and 8% said they felt stressed permanently.
