No matter the age, ethnicity, social economic status, Stress has a way of touching the lives of everyone. No one is immune. What is different for everyone is how stress presents itself & how each individual chooses to deal & ultimately eliminate stress. April is Stress Awareness Month, and it is absolutely crucial for everyone to have stress coping strategies in their back pocket.
Stress can affect more than just your mind. Immense amounts of stress can often make one physically sick causing a number of ailments.
While on a grand scale stress can quite literally make you sick, there is one bright spot in dealing with stress, it can be a motivator or indicator to make crucial changes in your life. Have you been battling if you should leave your job? has your relationship with your mate or your friend been on the rocks for some time now? Have you been struggling physically? Etc. Feeling overwhelmed in many areas of your life can be the very jump off point for your change those things & possibly save your life.
Ways to destress during Stress Awareness Month
- Take note of where your stress is coming from & assess if the situation is within your control. If it’s not, do your best to release those feelings. Focus yourself and take control of things that are right in front of you. You don’t have to have every step figured out, but if you can figure out your next step, that’s progress.
- Practice meditation, you don’t have to sit for an hour. But take 10-20 minutes for yourself. Quieting your mind and focusing solely on yourself; mind, body, & breathing can work wonders throughout your day.
- Indulge in a hobby that brings you joy; are you into gardening? Painting? Working on cars? Or going for a drive? Sometimes doing something that brings you joy perfectly combats those stressful thoughts and feelings. Or sometimes will offer clarity on what is stressing you, therefore you know how to properly navigate those feelings.
- Exercise, there are so many upsides to working out your stress. Anything from a brisk walk, to biking to lifting weights. Channeling those stressful feelings into something constructive can help you clear your mind.
- Talk to someone: if you have the ability to go to therapy, talking to a therapist can give you different perspectives on your situation. If you don’t have the ability to see a professional, talking to a trusted friend or family member can be just as helpful. Just make sure they have the emotional & mental space to properly hear you out.
It’s important to note that navigating stress is not easy and some days your coping strategies just will not work. And that is okay. Give yourself grace on the hard days. For more healthcare relates posts, feel free to read our blog HERE.