April is National Stress Awareness Month. It is all about bringing attention to the causes and cures for modern stress.
What is stress? What is stress to you?
Everyone experiences stress in different ways, meaning there is not just one definition of what stress is. The most common definition is a physical, mental, or emotional response to something that can be difficult or hard to process/understand. Common reactions to stress include feeling sad, being frustrated, difficulty concentrating, and there are so many other reactions to stress.
How do I cope with my stress?
There are many ways to cope with stress; one good option is taking care of yourself. Eating healthily, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep are some ways to improve your mental health and reduce stress. Another way to cope with stress is to just recognize that you’re stressed and go talk to a counselor about your stress. The most important thing about coping with stress is being able to talk to others about your stress, as most of the time, talking to someone can help you cope.
Can stress only affect my mental health?
Stress can also have long-term effects, mainly on your mental and physical health. Stress has been shown to cause many issues, such as depression & stomach disorders. Sometimes in very serious cases, it has been proven to cause stroke and heart disease. When you are stressed, specific hormones go into your bloodstream, causing an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. This is helpful in emergencies, but having this increase for long periods of time can be dangerous.
