2. Environmental factors

Stress is inevitable in our lives. In the modern world, we face daily mental and emotional challenges that tend to leave us caught and struggling between our needs and ambitions on one side and our actual circumstances and reality on the other. Whether these are big challenges like divorce, job loss or the death of a loved one, or just everyday minor hassles like lack of time, traffic jams and juggling responsibilities, all these are stress-inducing factors that we experience on a daily basis, and they put the body in a continuous 5 Environmental in this context refers to events and circumstances happening in our lives, and does not refer to factors involving the earth's environment (for this latter see the last section of Chapter Two). state of anxiety . This feeling depletes your energy, tenses your muscles, disrupts your blood circulation and most dangerous of all, it damages your immunity. Researchers found that people who are faced with stressful circumstances on an everyday basis are more prone to microbial attacks and various immuno-compromised conditions than they would be if they were living under reduced tension. 6 The way people cope with these events is a major factor in whether or not their health is affected. Take the example of divorce. Most people would say that divorce is one of the most devastating life crises; it affects the whole family, and generates a highly stressful environment. Yet look at the surah (chapter) in the Quran named Talaq or 'Divorce'. Reading these verses makes you feel as if a kind, merciful hand is caressing you and giving you hope for the future. The verses are filled with positive attitude - assurances from Allah that things will get better, that there is a foreseeable end to the current misery. ~And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out [from every difficulty], and He will provide for him from [sources] he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice for him. Verily, Allah will 6 Maddi, 1996. accomplish His purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things) (Quran 65: 2-3) ( .. And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him) (Quran 65: 4) (o :J'.)lkll "..!.r") ( .. And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his reward) (Quran 65: 5) (V : J'.)lkll "..!.r") ~ ... Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. Allah will grant after hardship, ease) (Quran 65: 7) Reading this surah - with a deep belief and trust in Allah's promises and His complete Power, Mercy and Wisdom - will reduce stress and give hope, helping a person to cope with a disturbing situation, even in the most difficult circumstances.