What Stresses You Out Based on Your Zodiac Sign?

We all have stress triggers that take us from serene to stressed within seconds. You may think your triggers are uniquely your own but in fact, they can be influenced by your zodiac sign.

Read on to learn what the different zodiac signs get flustered about and what you can do to bring yourself back to zen. 

Aries stress trigger: Waiting

Whether it’s a long queue or someone leaving their texts on “read,” Aries hates waiting. As one of the fire signs, you like to jump into situations and take charge. You dislike anything that forces you to stop and wait - it feels like such a waste of energy. Feeling bored falls into the same category. Anything that feels like a snooze fest makes you stress about all the glorious time you’re wasting that could go to a more exciting activity.

How to manage stress:

• Slow down and watch the sunset. Quiet moments will help you recharge, you just have to learn to appreciate them.
• Practice some patience. A calming activity, like meditation, can teach you valuable skills for navigating the slower times in life that are out of your control.  

Taurus stress trigger: Change 

Nothing stresses Taurus out like change. As a fixed earth sign, you tend to dig your heels in like a bull when forced to roll with the changes. You like your routine and it makes you feel comforted, right? The problem is that it can cause you to get stuck in a rut.

How to manage stress:

• Find strength in letting go. Things might be out of your control, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. Sometimes the most powerful decision is to let go and find inner peace.
• Engage in self-care. Go for a walk in nature so you can process your feelings. As an earth sign, you’re recharged by time spent outdoors.  

Gemini stress trigger: Boredom

Geminis are the social butterflies of the Zodiac who seek the spice of life wherever they go. You feel stressed if you’re bored and have nothing to do. Being stuck in a dead-end situation, like an unsatisfying job, can make you feel like a butterfly trapped under glass. You want to fly off to new, exciting adventures on a whim.

How to manage stress:

• Plan a mini getaway. You might not have the means to change your situation, such as quitting your 9-5, but you can plan smaller adventures to keep your spirits up. 
• Keep a stress journal. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, a planet associated with communication. Self-expression is a balm to your soul, helping you take stock of your feelings. 

Cancer stress trigger: Worst-case scenarios 

The moon rules Cancer so this sign feels emotions profoundly. Although you’re nurturing, warm, and the best joke-teller in your social circle, you also tend to entertain the worst outcomes for situations. This can transform you from the life of the party into someone aloof and moody. 

How to manage stress:

• Reach out to your besties. Although Cancerians will likely want to hide out for a while and binge Netflix shows when stressed, expressing yourself to someone you trust can help you feel better. 
• Engage in creativity. Cancer is a cardinal water sign so you’re sensitive and creative. Use that creativity to boost positive feelings, such as by painting or writing.

Leo stress trigger: Criticism

As a Leo, you’re no wallflower. Since you’re ruled by the sun, you thrive on receiving attention and being the star of the show. You’re proud and will try your best to appear confident to others, so you won’t admit that your biggest stressor is receiving criticism. 

How to manage stress:

• Open your mind to different ideas. Leo is a fixed fire sign which can make you a bit inflexible. Instead of seeing criticism as something negative, use it as a learning experience.
• Remember your worth. Spoil yourself with something nice, such as a spa day, or do an activity that boosts your confidence to feel good again and put the criticism into perspective.

Virgo stress trigger: Perfectionism

Virgos are perfectionists with a keen eye for detail. Although this makes you great at your job, you can be critical of yourself and others who don’t meet your sky-high expectations. Perfection doesn’t exist, but that doesn't mean you won’t strive for it. 

How to manage stress:

• Try a relaxing activity like meditation to center yourself. This will soothe your intense need to process information, which results from being ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. 
• Make yourself number one. Virgo puts everyone ahead of themselves, which means you can stress yourself by trying to be perfect for others. Put yourself first and do something that restores your spirit. 

Libra stress trigger: Drama

As an air sign symbolized by the scales, Libra is about balance and harmony. You love feeling that everything’s in order and beautiful. If someone’s full of drama and picks a fight with you, this conflicts with your love of peace, making you feel stressed.

How to manage stress:

• Go for dinner with friends. Since Libra is a social sign, getting away from whatever’s stressing you out and having a good laugh is like medicine. 
• Visit a beautiful place. You’re motivated by beauty, so go somewhere lovely like a park or art museum when stress overwhelms you. 

Scorpio stress trigger: Rejection 

Scorpio is known for being intense. You’re passionate, energetic and extremely loyal. The flip side is that you’re stressed out by a fear of rejection. Since you feel your emotions strongly, you worry that others will take advantage of you.

How to manage stress:

• Avoid letting your emotions boil over. Open up to people you trust to help you get things off your chest. Since you’re born with the sun in a negative sign, you have introverted tendencies and might self-isolate when stressed. But this isn’t a good idea.
• Release negative energy. Eliminate stress and boost your feel-good endorphins by being active. Sign up for a kickboxing or dance class! 

Sagittarius stress trigger: Commitment

Sagittarians are energetic fire signs and often extraverted. When you take action, nothing can stand in your way. You’re ruled by Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, so you seek adventures and tend to jump from one fun experience to another. Commitment causes stress for you because it ties you down. 

How to manage stress:

• Boost your patience by practicing mindfulness. Before you rush into your next adventure, some time in the moment can give you valuable insights. 
• Take a break. You’re adventurous, but even the most daring Sagittarius needs downtime. Go on a weekend camping trip or take the day off to do something fun with a significant other. This will strike a healthy balance between your need for freedom and commitment. 

Capricorn stress trigger: Overworking 

Ruled by Saturn, the planet associated with rules, Capricorn is a hard worker. Unfortunately, this can become unhealthy. Instead of looking after yourself, you keep pushing yourself to achieve your goals. The result? Stress! Although your self-discipline is a good trait, it can make you rigid, which causes others to see you as unapproachable because of your high standards.

How to manage stress:

• Get a healthy life-work balance. Give yourself time to chill. Spend time with friends who make you relax and laugh. 

• Ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness. Instead, it can reduce your stress while showing you there’s more than one way to achieve your goals. 

Aquarius stress trigger: Deadlines 

As an air sign, Aquarius is all about freedom. You love being adventurous and trailblaze your own path in life. Ruled by Uranus, the planet of breakthroughs, you’re innovative and focus on the big picture. But then a deadline lands on your desk, making you feel trapped. Not only does this boost your stress levels, but it causes you to procrastinate. You’d rather focus on other things.

How to manage stress:

• Use your creative spark. Find ways to work through your tasks. You’re creative, so use that to make them easier.
• Make the most of your spare time. Look forward to it and use it as a playground for all your innovative ideas.

Pisces stress trigger: Saying “no” 

Pisces is perhaps the most empathetic of all the zodiac signs. Taking on others’ emotions can cause you to become overwhelmed, so you must guard your heart. When someone asks you for a favor, you have difficulty saying “no” because you avoid disappointing others. You might feel you can’t carve out space for your needs.

How to manage stress:

• Set healthy boundaries. Ensure you put your needs first sometimes so you don’t lose yourself to others. 
• Have a daydream. Since Neptune, the planet of dreams, rules you, you love escaping reality to sink into your wildest dreams. This is a great way for you to de-stress.