Let Go of that Stress!
April is Stress Awareness Month and today, April 16th, is Stress Awareness Day. And at the risk of being obvious here, we’re going to talk about stress. It’s something we all have in some level, in some form, at some point in our lives. In the short-term, stress can help us get the job done. It can push us to do our best, reach a goal, or get through a tough situation. But continued, high levels of stress over the long-term can be harmful to our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Research shows that continued exposure to high levels of stress can cause, accelerate or intensify ailments such as headaches, common colds, ulcers and stomach aches, just to name a few. It’s also been linked to the aggravation of diabetes.
It’s important to know how your body responds to stress. Different people respond to different stressors in different ways. Take some time this week, or this month, to pay attention to the amount of stress in your life. Keep a journal, write a note in your calendar, whatever it takes to take notice of when, where and why you feel stressed out. Once you know what causes stress for you, you can practice some strategies to reduce stress and decrease your risk of the serious health issues that can accompany it.
For suggestions on how to reduce stress in your life, check out some of our previous posts:
General Strategies for Stress Relief
Relaxation: It Starts with Your Mind
However you choose to deal with your stress, it is important that you do deal with it. Stress that’s not managed is a danger to your health. So enjoy life, relax a little, get a hobby, and let go of that stress!
"Eat well. Live well. Be well."
