April is Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April, since 1992, to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. The most common explanation for stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or pressure. Long-term stress can have dangerous impacts on physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health.

What is stress? Stress is the physical or emotional response to an external cause, such as a pandemic, a natural disaster, performance, an act of violence, or a life change. Stress can feel very overwhelming. Stress can interfere with your everyday life, cause you to avoid doing things, and may feel always present. Stress can cause fatigue, headaches and muscle tension, reported by 77% of Americans.

 

What is anxiety? Anxiety is the body’s internal reaction to stress and can occur even if there is no current threat. If anxiety doesn’t go away it may begin to interfere with your life, it could also affect your health. Some symptoms of anxiety can cause insomnia, lower your immune response, and cause problems with the digestive, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety are, what they look like, and how they feel.

Stress vs. Anxiety

Stress	Both Stress and Anxiety	Anxiety
Generally is a response to an external cause, such as taking a big test or arguing with a friend. Goes away once the situation is resolved. Can be positive or negative. For example, it may inspire you to meet a deadline, or it may cause you to lose sleep.	Both stress and anxiety can affect your mind and body. You may experience symptoms such as: Excessive worry Uneasiness Tension Headaches or body pain High blood pressure Loss of sleep	Generally is internal, meaning it’s your reaction to stress. Usually involves a persistent feeling of apprehension or dread that doesn’t go away, and that interferes with how you live your life. Is constant, even if there is no immediate threat.

Table from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet

 

Here are 9 tips for preventing and managing stress:

 

1. eat healthy
2. exercise
3. get enough sleep
4. learn how to relax
5. put your feelings on paper
6. be proactive
7. talk about you problems
8. do something you enjoy
9. and last but not least smile

 

Remember, there are always ways to address and manage it stress whenever possible. If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, reach out for help with a family member, friend, doctor, pastor or counselor. Learn how to talk to others about stress. Managing these conditions allows you to live a healthier, longer life well into your golden years.

 

References:

https://www.nexusfamilyhealing.org/blog/focus-stress-awareness-month

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet