Author: Isabella Adams, MSW
Caring for your mental health is one of the best investments you can make. In this series, we’ll share practical strategies and encouraging perspectives to help you navigate stress, build resilience, and create more space for the things that bring you peace.
Stress is a universal experience, a natural bodily reaction to a new or challenging situation. Many things in life contribute to rising stress levels, from daily commutes to large life changes. Some forms of short-term stress can be beneficial to our performance, such as the drive to win a game or to do well on a task. However, stress can be detrimental to our health and well-being when it is long-term.
Chronic stress can lead to the development of or exacerbate many issues such as:
- Heart disease and hypertension
- Diabetes
- Sleep deterioration
- Decreased immune response
- Changes in appetite
- Feelings of fear, worry, or frustration
- Increased or sudden usage of substances
Learning to manage stress levels to an appropriate amount and utilizing stress to our benefit is the best way to work to ensure that stress does not overtake one’s health. Managing stress is an ongoing task and dedicating regular time to these tasks can help keep stress levels manageable.
- Engage regular physical activity
- Prioritize time for relaxation and for personal hobbies
- Practice gratitude
- Keep a regular sleep schedule
- Spend time with loved ones
When stress becomes far too much for personal management, talking to someone is a beneficial way to ensure you do not carry it alone. Sharing with trusted friends and family can help you offload some concerns before they become a detriment to your well-being. If high stress levels persist, it may be time to pursue professional assistance as they may be able to help you identify sources of stress and learn new tools to help cope with them.
National Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org, to connect with a counselor. Counselors are available 24/7/365, and all communication is free and confidential.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
