Cumulative Stress

Cumulative stress is the buildup of all of the things that have caused us stress in the past two years. If our life is a Jenga tower, think of cumulative stress as the feeling that builds as you take pieces of that puzzle out to build higher and higher. A misconception is that all cumulative stressors must be bad. Sure, things like job loss, workplace stress, and relationship break ups are easy to identify as stressful events. But have you considered the stress that came with the promotion you got, buying a new home, or the birth of your first child?

Take a look at the following chart that ranks common life stressors. Add up your score. Are you surprised by what the numbers show? Does it validate a sense of general anxiety that you have been feeling?

People often say to me, “I put off counselling because I was so sure my problems weren’t as bad as everyone else’s.” And in reply, I say, “your problems are the only ones that matter in this moment.” Let’s move towards better mental health together by recognizing that we ALL have issues that we could use a therapist for from time to time.

– Rebecca