Stress in Our Everyday Lives

The word "stressed" has become a common part of today's nomenclature for describing our everyday lives.  Often, we say that we are stressed out or stressed to the max.

Granted, today more factors than ever contribute to creating a stressful environment.  Many of us are unable to simply and literally "unplug and relax".  Communications technology has improved to the point that practically everyone has a cellular telephone attached at the hip to keep them in touch with the world.  The problem is that many have this technology at their fingertips 24 hours a day - even while on vacation, even though vacations are taken to "unplug and relax". 

How many times have you seen someone who supposedly is on vacation, but is walking on the beach while talking on the telephone, or someone sitting by the poolside while working on their computer.  Or, think about how you feel when you're flying and the flight attendant asks that you turn off your cellular telephone and leave it off until you land at your destination city.  

You may feel distressed about missing important business calls; you may be worried that you can't be reached in case of emergency; you may be irritated that you cannot conduct telephone business while flying.  In a nutshell, you may feel stress over the situation. 

Chronic stress can lead to depression.