Understanding and Observing Stress Awareness Month
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of stress on our lives and promoting effective strategies for managing it.
The Importance of Stress Awareness
Stress is a universal experience that affects everyone at some point in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress can cause the following:
- Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
- Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Nightmares or problems sleeping
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes
- Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions
Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress
Learning to handle stress in a healthy way can really help you feel better. By making small changes in your daily routine, you can make a big difference in how you manage stress. Everyone deals with stress differently, so it’s important to figure out what causes your stress and find the right mix of healthy techniques that work for you. Here are tips from the CDC to cope with stress:
- Make time to unwind. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Keep a journal. Try to do some other relaxing activities you enjoy.
- Practice gratitude daily. Remind yourself of specific things you are grateful for and write them down.
- Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to help you sleep better. Adults need seven or more hours per night.
- Move more. Staying physically healthy can improve your emotional wellbeing. Target 150 minutes weekly of heart-healthy activities, such as walking or exercising.
- Eat healthy foods. Have fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat or no-fat dairy. Limit foods with unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars.
- Limit alcohol intake. Choose not to drink, or drink in moderation on days you drink alcohol.
- Avoid smoking, vaping, or the use of other tobacco products. With the right approach, it is possible to quit smoking for good.
- Continue with regular health appointments, tests, screenings, and vaccinations.
CHAS Health’s Integrated Behavioral Health program gives established patients with acute or chronic behavioral health concerns access to counseling, medication management, and treatment consultation conveniently located within our primary care clinics.
To become a CHAS Health patient, please call 509.444.8200 to make an appointment.
