Good Events Are Stressful, Too!

How to recognize and cope with happy stressors

Divorce, death of a loved one, job loss—it’s not surprising to find life events like these on the high-stress list. But marriage?  A new house? A personal achievement?  Sure enough, these “good” events are stressful, too.

“Your body reacts to stress in the same way regardless of the cause,” says cardiologist Gerald Pytlewski, D.O., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The level of stress hormones goes up, and if the stress continues over time, it elevates your cholesterol, blood pressure and heart disease risk.”

The common denominator in all major events—happy or painful—is change, says Pytlewski’s colleague, licensed clinical social worker Barbara Johnson. “Some people react more than others,” she says, “but most all of us find change a little scary.” 

The first step in coping is to recognize that “even though that new job or baby is what you’ve always wanted, it will be stressful and will have an impact on your health,” Pytlewski says.

Next, rev up your efforts to combat the stress. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise, get plenty of sleep, and find time for relaxation. “It’s tempting to let these things slip under stress,” Pytlewski says, “but they’re even more important now.”

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. “If you find yourself stressing out over a wedding, vacation or holiday,” Johnson says, “talk with a friend who can help you be objective. Focus on calming down so you can enjoy and appreciate this special time.”

Want to Know More about life’s most stressful events? For a copy of the Life Stress Scale and information on coping with stress, click here.

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