Are You Stressed?

 

"Nikky, life is really stressful these days..." 

I met her eyes and it suddenly dawned on me that it was time for me to stop and listen to my friend.

___________

Stress has become an increasingly serious problem in many countries and a variety of social and economic factors contribute to this trend. In my view, rising global instability, poor governance, and the pressures created by modern media all play a significant role in increasing our stress levels.

So, What Causes Our Stress Levels to Spike?

I will save your time by not delving into the long list of factors that are stress triggers. Hence, I will focus on what I consider the pertinent causes we overlook or ignore due to our biases or divergent opinions.

Economic Hardship

This is one major cause of stress faced by many families today. For instance, in several regions of Nigeria, we have witnessed pockets of conflict, political unrest, and resultant inflation which have led to a dramatic rise in the cost of living. As a result, most people struggle to afford basic necessities. This inevitably leads to an increased fear of financial insecurity and creates constant anxiety. When individuals are unable to provide stable meals or housing for their families, stress becomes almost unavoidable.

Ineffective Leadership

This is another contributing factor especially since it results in poor policy decisions. Mismanagement of national resources and corruption, whether we agree or not, have resulted in job losses and economic decline. High unemployment rates place enormous pressure on adults who must support dependants, and the uncertainty surrounding future opportunities further intensifies stress.

Media

This is one factor that has increasingly affected young people. It is no longer an arguement that the media has created unrealistic standards of success, beauty, and lifestyle. Many youths spend all their waking hours comparing themselves to celebrities and influencers. They end up feeling compelled to achieve similar levels of wealth or popularity. This constant comparison and a deep seated desire to attain unrealistic heights of success can damage self-esteem and lead to chronic stress or even depression.

The Way Forward

To address these issues, our government needs to prioritise economic stability, job creation, and transparent leadership. Public awareness campaigns on mental health, along with accessible counselling services, would also help individuals cope with stress more effectively. Schools and families can play a role by teaching and helping young people develop healthy media habits and resilience.

Overall, we can all agree that stress is rising due to economic challenges, poor governance, and social media pressures. However, with stronger policies and better support systems, I believe that we can reduce stress and improve our overall wellbeing.