Stress is a part of life that everyone will experience, but just because it is common, does not minimize the importance of handling it in a healthy manner.
Stress can be caused by numerous different factors and can vary in severity. Among many other things, pressure from work, trauma, bills, and ill family members are a few factors that can lead to someone experiencing heightened levels of stress. Depending on the gravity of what causes this pressure, stress can be debilitating.
Common reactions to stress include:
- Depression and numbness
- Feeling frustrated or hopeless
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Headaches, back pain, and stomach issues
- Increased use of alcohol, smoking, or drugs
Most people will experience disruptions to their physical and/or mental health at some point in time due to stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, 77% of Americans who have experienced stress say that it has affected their physical health, and 73% of Americans say that it has affected their mental health. These numbers being as high as they are, Americans should take stress management more seriously.
Managing stress can seem overwhelming, but here are a few ways to help:
- Take time out of your day to practice meditation or mindfulness
- Exercise
- Eat healthier, more regular meals
- Avoid drinking excessive amounts of caffeine
- Spend quality time with friends and family
These general tips will help reduce stress, but what will make the biggest impact in relieving stress is identifying the root of the problem and tackling it head on. Leaving stress to sort itself out can be a risky proposition that can have more serious, long-term effects.
When stressed out, our bodies produce stress hormones that rush into our bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. Over short periods of time, stress can be helpful, but prolonged stress can have a dangerous impact on your body. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to more severe health issues, including strokes and even heart attacks.
As workplaces transition, schools close for the summer, and our “new normal” continues to be in flux, remember the dangers of stress and what leaving it unmanaged can do to your life. Try to create a healthy balance of eating and sleeping right, not overworking yourself, and relaxing when the opportunity presents itself. Everyone experiences stress, but its important that we take it seriously and do what we can to help ourselves.
For more information, see the below resources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet
http://www.stress.org/april-is-stress-awareness-month
http://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/stress/related/stress-statistics/