One in five people suffers from stress. But what exactly is going wrong in our lives, and what can we do about it?
Silent struggle
It gets dark outside. Everything around me quiets down, but my mind becomes even more active than before. One thought replaces another: Did I pay that bill? Did I forget something for tomorrow? Is my colleague aware of the updated schedule? Is everything okay with my son?
The clock shows it’s already time to sleep, but my mind refuses to stop. If only there were more hours in a day. Why is life so stressful? And does it really have to be this way?
The next day, I decided to find answers to these questions.
One of the leading experts on stress, Professor Cary Cooper, a psychologist at the University of Manchester, says:
“Approximately 25 percent of people experience stress. The situation is similar in the UK, Germany, and Austria. In countries like China, India, and Brazil, it is even more severe due to economic development.”
High expectations and stress
What causes so much stress in our lives?
Sometimes it is the desire for perfection — trying to do everything at a high level and feeling that we are not good enough. Other times, it is poor time management.
Austrian economic psychologist Bernhard Riener explains:
“If we believe that the future will not turn out the way we want, it creates stress. The main cause is our expectations. We demand too much from ourselves and from others.”
As a result, stress turns into a burden.
However, there is another side to it: sometimes stress can be motivating.
Zurich-based yoga teacher Poonam Stecher Sharma says:
“Sometimes stress helps us take action and get things done.”
Looking back at the past months, I realize that I have constantly been on the move and never stopped. Trying to do everything has pulled me into a cycle of stress. Now, I want to break out of it.
Regaining control
“The pace of modern life often goes beyond our control,” says Cary Cooper.
Consciously slowing down and creating balance in social and family life can help in this situation.
He adds:
“It is important to stop being constantly available. Do not work at home, do not check emails outside working hours. Especially during vacations, it is better to completely disconnect.”
Work life is one of the main causes of stress. Workload, expectations from managers and colleagues, as well as personal ambitions, create serious pressure.
“Managers should ensure that employees are not overloaded. It is important not only to assign tasks but also to understand the situation within the team,” Cooper emphasizes.
At the same time, we must take responsibility and learn to say “no” when necessary.
Ways to cope with stress
There are various ways to reduce stress:
Acupuncture
Massage
Yoga
In addition, daily planning and structuring play an important role.
Proper time management helps reduce stress.
7 steps to manage your time effectively
Stress is often linked to the feeling that “there is not enough time.” But in many cases, the real problem is poor time management.
1.Accept that you cannot do everything — focus on what matters most
2.Set priorities using the Eisenhower principle: focus on urgent and important tasks
3.Slow down when pressure increases — rushing leads to more mistakes
4.Take breaks — restore your energy
5.work and personal life
6.Reevaluate your expectations of yourself
7.Learn to say “no”
I think about my to-do list and once again wish there were more hours in a day. But I understand that it is impossible to do everything at once.
And so I decide: change must begin today.
Because there are only 24 hours in a day.