Communication and Stressful Life Events
Good communications skills are very valuable in our daily interactions of course, but they become especially critical in times in our lives when we are experiencing great stress. Below is a list of life events that can cause intense emotional stress. Take a look at the *list below. If any of these events are occurring (or have occurred) in your life, ask yourself whether the stress you experienced was related to a breakdown in communication with another person. Could better communication make a difference in the situations below? It's pretty amazing when you think about how often better communication could relieve stress. Expert communication really does work. No question about it.
*Source: R. Cochrane and A. Robertson, Journal of Psychosomatic Research
*List of Stressful Life Events
Death of spouse
Divorce/break-up of family
Jail sentence
Marital separation
Unwanted pregnancy
Death of immediate family member
Unemployment of head of household
Attempted suicide of immediate family member
Incurrence of debt beyond means of repayment
Onset of heavy drinking problem of immediate family member
Miscarriage
Serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization
Abortion
Jail sentence imposed on immediate family member
New problem related to use of alcohol or drugs
Serious illness suffered by immediate family member
Sex difficulties
Death of close friend
Sudden increase in number of arguments with significant other
Period of homelessness
Breakup with steady girlfriend/boyfriend
Marriage
Serious restriction of social life
My own/my partner's pregnancy
Problem with my children
Onset of prolonged ill health requiring treatment
New job in new line of work
Son/daughter leaves home
Sudden increase in number of family arguments
Addition of new immediate family member
Purchase of home
Eviction
Move to new house
Involvement in physical fight
Spouse's job began or ended
Minor violation of the law
New job in same line of work
Change in hours of conditions in present job
Vacation away from home
Quarrel with neighbors
Development of friendship with new neighbors
© 2013 Cinda Lawrence. All rights reserved.