These Four Things Could be Stressing You Out!

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Article by BR Natalie.

Leaving a voicemail.  Waiting for a friend request to be accepted.  A passing comment from an in-law.  Over-waiting in the waiting room, when you were on time.  It's not always the big things in life that stress us out.  And did you know there are probably things contributing to your stress levels without you even realising?

Here's some things that might be putting you on edge without you realising:

Background Noise - We're not talking about listening to the radio or your neighbours musical instruments.  We're talking those pesky noises that, unless you notice them probably don't cross your mind.  Until you realise they're there and then it's like some kind of technical tinitus.  The whirl of the refridgerator fan, the buzz of fluorescent lights, the hum of the office computers.  These low level noises may sink in to the background, but they've been proven to add to stress levels.

Little Lights - You're about to go to bed, so you've turned off the lights and are settling down in the dark.  Or are you?  What about the annoying LED when your phone is on charge,  the glow from your hibernating laptop or even the glare of your alarm clock counting down the hours until you've got to get up again?  Cut the stress from your bedroom - turn off all the lights!

Smartphones - Are you constantly checking your phone?  Do you find it hard to switch off from work?  Does this sound familiar - You're relaxing with a glass of wine.  Your phone beeps.  "I'll just check" you think.  You see the email notification.  "I'll just see who it's from".  You see it's work related.  "It could be important, I'll just read it".  You see it's by no means vital.  You put your phone down.  The wine isn't tasting as yummy any more.  You answer the email.  It's no wonder stress levels are rising - smartphones don't turn themselves off - and while they're turned on they're just waiting to beep themselves into our lives.  Want to cut the stress?  Have regular "no phone zones".  Trust us, you'll love them.

The Earth's Magnetic Field - If you've been on edge and a little grumpy to those around you, this might be the excuse to use.  10 to 15 percent of the population are thought to be directly affected by geomagnetic energy - making them generally more stressed, particularly at times when the Sun's solar flares mess around with it.  Now we're not saying you're going to get away with this excuse every time you're irrationally ratty, but unless you're arguing with a scientist it might work.

So why not tell us what stresses you out?  Do you sweat the small stuff, or are you only affected by life's "big worries"?  Do you have quirky anxieties or are you generally so laid back you're horizontal?