Stress Awareness Month: Managing your stress

Stress Awareness Month is held yearly during the month of April. During this time, we help raise awareness about the different causes and ways to prevent stress. This past year presented many challenges to people worldwide, and millions are experiencing high levels of stress, damaging one’s health.

According to the Stress Management Society, stress is a significant factor in mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia, and digestive issues. Therefore, it is essential to learn how we can manage our stress and take steps to reduce it. Here you can find a list of tips for coping:

          Take care of yourself:

Pay attention to your health. Place your focus on healthy habits such as eating clean, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and giving yourself a break if you feel overwhelmed.

          Connect with the people around you:

Talk about your problems with the people you trust, a parent, friend, or partner. Get different perspectives in a situation, be open to listening.

Sometimes, you will need to be able to recognize when you need more help. Seeking professional help, such as a therapist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor, can be a good alternative.

          Find new, calming habits:

Go for a walk when you need a break from the tension and give you a chance to think things through.

Try a quick meditation or yoga to get some perspective.

Read a book, short story or magazine.

Play a favorite sport like golf, tennis, or basketball.

There are many ways to cope with your stress, and it is important to incorporate healthy habits into your routine. Identifying what best fits your needs and hobbies is the first step to understanding how you could deal with stress and reduce it, in the first place.