26 Apr Stress Awareness
April is coined as Stress Awareness Month – it is a way to learn how to cope with stress and find healthier ways to deal with these issues. Stress can impact many aspects of your body.
We all experience stress – there is no single definition of what stress is. According to the American Institute of Stress, they state that stress is a “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.”
Long-term stress has been proven to be more than just a mental issue. Many have experienced headaches to stomach disorders to depression – even stroke or heart disease. When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate. However, when you are in that “rush” state for long periods of time – this makes you susceptible to bigger issues.
Sometimes the stress we experience in our lives is not something we may have any power to change, however, you should not sit in stressful situations. Here are some tips on how you can cope with your stress:
- Take care of yourself: eat healthily, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, give yourself a break when needed.
- Discuss the problems: Confide in a friend or family member
- Avoid drugs or alcohol
- Recognize when you need more help
The biggest thing you can do when you are in stressful situations is to make sure you are continuing to look after yourself. Make sure to take time to relax when you need to and learn to say no if the asking is too much for you.