Feeling tired even though you should be happy? What are the unexpected sources of stress?

When people hear the word "stress," many may think of unpleasant events or difficult situations.

However, surprisingly, did you know that seemingly positive events can also be a source of stress (stressors)?

Stress caused by positive events

The following types of events are very joyful, but in reality, they can sometimes become a source of stress.

・Promotion/Advancement
While this is a happy occasion, it comes with new responsibilities and expectations.

・Marriage
Starting a new life with a loved one is filled with happiness, but it requires adapting to changes in your environment and taking on new roles.

・(Your own) Pregnancy/Childbirth
While having a new family member is a joy, it brings significant changes to your body and lifestyle.

・Child's advancement to higher education/Entrance exams
A child's growth is a source of pride for parents, but it also brings anxiety about whether the advancement or exams will go well.

・Family member's engagement
Changes in the environment occur due to preparations and arrangements for a family member's new life, as well as having one less person living in the home.

・Moving
Life in a new environment is full of anticipation, but it requires adapting to changes in your residence and community.

・Buying or selling a house or land
While buying or selling a major asset can fulfill a dream, it also involves facing unfamiliar things like financial risks and procedures.

・Increase in the number of people living together
Changes in human relationships and sharing living space require new adjustments and understanding.

Even events that appear positive at first glance can become stressors due to increased responsibilities and environmental changes.

(Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Regarding criteria for workers' compensation certification for mental disorders caused by psychological burden)

Why does happiness cause stress?

Stress is often seen as a villain, but it is merely one of the necessary reactions for the body. Its purpose is to adapt to new situations. It prepares the body for environmental changes by secreting adrenaline and noradrenaline, raising the heart rate and blood pressure, and putting the body into a state of tension.

Therefore, no matter how much positive emotion like happiness or joy is present at the same time, it does not directly cancel out the stress.

The impact of unconscious stress

The stressors mentioned here are considered to have a relatively low psychological burden. However, depending on the individual's temperament and the accumulation of events, they can still lead to various illnesses.

The effects of stress on the body vary, so it cannot be generalized, but you might feel like you are always tense even though nothing particularly bad has happened, or you might act energetic as usual but suddenly feel tired when you rest. In such situations, you may be accumulating stress from the positive environmental changes mentioned above without realizing it.

Being under stress for a long period can lead to mental illnesses such as depression, as well as stress-related diseases like high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. It is better to notice any discomfort early and take measures whenever possible.

Countermeasures

It might be a cliché and you might be tired of hearing it, but what is definitely effective is 1) resting, 2) sleeping, 3) eating, 4) exercising.

Sadly, there is no magic way to tip over the bucket of stress and empty it. You have no choice but to steadily regulate your daily rhythm, but if the cause lies within your own body or family, there are limits, aren't there...

In such cases, there may be no other way but to ask for help from family, friends, or acquaintances. As I mentioned in my magazine the other day, at the end of the day, "whether or not you can rely on those around you and get support" is an important factor in avoiding mental illnesses and stress-related disorders.

For your reference, I am prone to recurring mental illness and am not good at maintaining a consistent daily rhythm (especially exercise and diet) or relying on others, so I can only say, please use me as a cautionary tale...

Other techniques such as meditation and autogenic training to relieve excessive tension caused by stress are also useful, but as mentioned earlier, they are not magic, so there are limits. It is important to regulate your daily rhythm while you still can.

Conclusion

That concludes my introduction to the surprising stressors hidden in happiness. What did you think?

I occasionally hear stories of people who, despite seemingly being in a happy situation, end up feeling unwell due to stress.

If you eventually end up with depression, adjustment disorder, or various other illnesses, self-help becomes difficult, so I recommend taking action as early as possible while you still can.

It feels like every year there are reports saying "it's hard to believe it's September," but this year, as usual, the lingering summer heat is severe every day. Regardless of whether it is stress-related or not, please take care of yourselves.

Thank you for reading to the end! If you liked it, I'd appreciate a like/follow. May good things come your way!