The Stress Factors in Your Life: Stress refers to two simultaneous events. Responding to Stress Three elements of stress the stressor You perception of it, and your response to it Major Causes of Stress Work/life balance is the most important employment benefit, economic downturn forces many workers to defer efforts to strike a better work-life balance. Long Hours Irregular Schedules can create more stress to our lives we have to deal sometimes with major changes, workplaces