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Stress Awareness Month: Practical Tips for Managing Stress

April 15, 2024  |  manage stress, mental health, Stress, Stress Awareness Month
managing stress

April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the negative impacts of stress and ways to cope with the stressors in our daily lives.

What is Stress?

Stress is our body’s natural response to difficult situations and challenges. It can be triggered by things like conflict with family or friends, money problems, health changes, and the pressures of work or school. Stress can also arise in response to traumatic local, national, or global events, such as violence, war, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. It’s how we cope with and manage our stress that has an impact on our overall mental well-being.

Practical Tips for Managing Stress:

#1: Take a Break

If you’re experiencing stress, the first thing you can do is take a break and step away from what you were doing. Even five minutes can make a big difference! Use this time to go on a quick walk, take a few deep breaths, or listen to your favorite music.

#2: Stick to a Routine

When life gets overwhelming, routines give us more control over our day-to-day lives. Try to set a routine that includes time for rest, movement, healthy eating, and self-care.

#3: Let it Out

Stress often makes us feel overwhelmed, tense, and irritable, which can put a strain on our relationships. Instead of holding everything inside, share your feelings with someone who cares about you, whether it’s a friend, family member, or mental health professional. A conversation can lead to advice or solutions you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.

Is it Stress or Anxiety?

Stress is our body’s response to the external situations or events in our lives. Anxiety, on the other hand, is an internal feeling of fear, worry, or dread that doesn’t necessarily have an external cause. However, chronic stress is a common trigger for anxiety.

Both stress and anxiety can have physical symptoms, including:

●    Headaches

●    Digestive issues

●    Insomnia

●    Increased heart rate and blood pressure

●    Muscle tension and pain

●    General fatigue

If your anxiety or stress is persistent and interferes with your daily life, it’s probably time to ask for help.

Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren and Clinton Counties is here to help you connect to helpful mental health resources and local support for anxiety and stress.

If you need help now, call our Crisis Line — 877-695-6333 — for 24/7 support. Help is only one call away!