How is Modern Life Causing us Stress?

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Stress responses

Besides looking for physical and emotional signs of stress, it is important to understand how our bodies react to stress. We are animals, and although we don't live "in the wild" anymore, we still have similar "built in" instincts and reactions. Our ancestors had to hunt, protect and defend themselves in the wild by fighting, running away (flight) or hiding (freezing). Our ancestors’ hormones (including adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol) all kicked into gear to help them survive in the wild. Today, we have the same need for survival and the same hormone response. We are living with different stressors than they endured, but our bodies are reacting the same way as theirs.

 

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So, what causes stress in modern life?

We generally live a lot more comfortably than our ancestors did. The evolution of basic living necessities such as heating, hot water, access to food, clean water, electricity, improved hygiene and healthcare products, medicine, and the invention of technology means we live a much less gruelling and more luxurious lifestyle. We are living longer, with opportunities that our ancestors could only have longed for! With all these devices, inventions, and higher living standards which are implemented to make our life much easier and more comfortable than previous generations, we shouldn't have anything to feel stressed about, surely....?

 

Wrong! Although many people in the modern western society do not have to worry so much about day-to-day basic survival needs anymore, it doesn't mean we don't have anything to be stressed by. In many ways, we as humans have become so complicated, and disconnected from ourselves and our natural surroundings. Our ancestors would have mostly worked with the seasons, with natural daylight, and followed their internal body clock more closely. They typically would have led less sedentary lifestyles than us, without the invention of computers, and the luxury of cars, aeroplanes, and taxis, machinery, and even cleaning devices such as vaccum cleaners and washing machines. Even though our ancestors lives were probably more physically demanding, in other ways, they were a lot more simple. In recent decades the pace of life today has accelerated dramatically. Most of us experience our days as an emergency situation, trying to juggle and cram intensive and complicated tasks into our everyday schedules, continually running at a high pace. This requires continuous action and little time for rest and leisure, resulting in a viscous cycle where we become more disconnected from ourselves and become more and more stressed. The causes of stress in modern life emerge from the many obligations and pressures we have to handle everyday, such as:

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1) We have too much on our plate

It’s no wonder modern life has become a synonym for stress. With modern life, we’re trying to do too much, too fast. With too many obligations. As technology improves, standards of response and productivity are also rising and it’s becoming increasingly common for people to add a “6 to 11” to their "9 to 5" to allow enough time for their occupation, and also to work on a passion project. Factor in social interactions, studies, family time, cooking, household chores, travel and gym/exercise and you’re in for an overwhelming program! It’s essential to remind ourselves that we’re only human, there are only so many hours in a day, and that we cannot do everything at once - even if people on social media seem to manage it. Prioritise what really matters to you so you live a happy and fulfilling life.

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2) We are constantly connected

The internet never sleeps. It is there 24/7. Mobile phones, and the internet is a gift, and provides so many connection and communication benefits that make our lives so much easier. But in many ways it’s also a curse, because we tend to abuse technology usage on a daily basis. While it helps us feel closer to our loved ones, being constantly online is bad for our mental and physical health. Many people are now addicted to using their phones, ipads, and electronic devices. They have become such a staple part of our routinely day to day life, being used not only in our work life, but also our personal life, that many people nowadays cannot go one single day without using their mobile phone. Whilst I am seeing the negative effects of long term technology use in my treatment room, resulting in poor posture, neck/back/shoulder aches and pains, and stiff joints in the fingers/wrists/hand. In addition to putting physical stress on our bodies, there are many ways being online can cause us mental stress too. From unachievable standards of beauty, lifestyle and productivity on social media to never-ending sollicitations from work and friends, resulting in the in-ability to "switch off". To assess if technology may be a source of your stress, ask yourself the following questions:

● Is checking your phone the last thing you do before bed, and the first when you wake up?
● Do you read and answer your emails after work hours?
● Do you prioritise reading and answering your messages over your real-life activities?

● Do you feel pressured to respond immediately to messages/emails? 

● Do you find yourself aimlessly scrolling through social media, and then feel guilty you haven't achieved anything productive?

If you answered yes to one or several of these questions, technology might be a source of your stress. Why not try a digital detox? Try switching your phone off more regularly. Focus on "real-life" activities. Invest in buying an old-fashioned watch, and an alarm clock, so that you don't have to rely on your phone.

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3) We are not exercising enough

The lack of exercise can make you feel restless and lead to increased stress levels. Physical activities such as walking, swimming and running are a key stress-release mechanism, but with the rise of office jobs, we are often lacking the time and opportunity to exercise. Whether you’re working from home or from an office, taking the time to stand up and go for a quick walk is often a great solution when feeling stressed.

 

4) We are affected by pollution

We need more fresh air! With many of us living in big cities, pollution affects both our physical and mental health, causing stress and anxiety. A big city is a stressful environment in itself, not just because of air pollution but also noise and visual pollution. According to a 2019 study on air pollution* , air pollutants have themselves been found to be associated with increased perceived stress. Remember to take some time to escape from this stressful environment and reconnect with nature every now and then.

Now you know what causes stress, check out our 10 tips to relax and destress here.


Sources: * Mental Health Foundation, 2018* Thomson EM. Air Pollution, Stress, and Allostatic Load: Linking Systemic and Central Nervous System Impacts. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;69(3):597-614. doi:10.3233/JAD-190015