Written By Lauren Perl, Social Media & Marketing Volunteer
Posted April 29, 2024
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to raise awareness about the implications of stress. But what is stress anyways?
Facts About Stress
Stress is primarily the body’s physical response to perceived danger. When your body is under stress, it releases chemicals such as cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. Subsequently, various reactions occur, including your blood flowing to your muscles. While this is useful in truly dangerous situations, it proves to be an issue when it occurs in an everyday setting—whether it be during a job interview, an exam, or a presentation—because the blood flow to the muscles undermines the brain’s ability to function properly. Stress is a normal part of life, but it is crucial for your own health to be mindful when your stress levels begin to climb.
Symptoms of Stress
Continuous onsets of stress, which may occur from a series of challenging situations, can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach pains, elevated blood pressure, chest pains, and insomnia. However, they also affect the mind. Emotional responses to stress include becoming easily irritated, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, constantly worrying, being unable to focus, and finding it difficult to relax. The buildup of stress, and the aforementioned symptoms that come with it, can lead to mental health issues, especially anxiety or depression. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of these signs and take action if you notice them in yourself or a loved one.
Reducing Stress
If you resonate with this article, it is important to note that there are several things you can do to reduce your stress levels at home. Here are some quick activities to do to help improve your well-being:
Journaling- This can be 3 words or 3 pages long, just simply jot down whatever comes to mind. Getting your thoughts onto paper can help you feel relaxed, and may even make you realize how trivial some of your worries are!
Be active- This can be anything, from lifting weights to jump roping. Moving your body in any way you desire can help reduce anxiety.
Meditate- Whether you have your own meditation routine, breathing exercise, or favorite meditation Youtube video, meditating can help boost mindfulness.
Laugh- Watch a funny video, or talk with someone you know you can laugh with!
Gratitude- Think or write about three things you are grateful for.
Preventing Stress
To prevent stress, you can implement some of these activities into your daily life. However, the most important thing to do is spend time with others. Having strong relationships will help you feel supported as you go about life. Whether you are calling your friend, getting coffee with your mom, or spending time with your significant other, you are staying connected, which is important. If you are struggling with stress, speaking about your problems with a trusted person is a great way to help you cope with them.
Ultimately, it is important to recognize and understand the various kinds of ways stress manifests in our lives, in order to help us control it, rather than letting it control us.
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