April is Stress Awareness Month

The first of April marks Stress Awareness Month, which was founded by the International Stress Management Association in 1992. There have been many studies done on the physical and mental effects of stress on one’s body. With this in mind, this month serves as a period to learn more about the impact of stress, how to manage it, and ways you can participate in Stress Awareness Month, to support yourself and others.

Understanding Stress: What It Is and Its Impact

Stress is defined by the National Institute of Health as “a physical and emotional reaction that people experience as they encounter challenges in life.” There are many causes of stress, including work, finances, relationships, and health issues. In addition to the many causes of stress, there are multiple different types of stress:

Acute: Brief feelings of stress brought on by a specific incident, like a car accident or losing a loved one. Typically lasts between a few days to a month.
Episodic: Frequent or regular stress induced by a recurring stressor, such as doctors’ appointments or presenting at work.
Chronic: Near constant stress with little to no relief caused by a large, overwhelming stressor, like abuse, discrimination, or lack of support.

In an effort to stay ahead of potential stress, you should be aware of the warning signs that can alert you to an increase in stress, in yourself and others.

“Most frequently these include changes in sleep, appetite, mood, physical health and activity levels,” wrote Jessica Grossi, a licensed professional counselor and therapist for Acenda. “By recognizing these changes early on, we can prevent long-term health and mental health issues. Long-term health issues can include cardiovascular dysfunctions, diabetes, cancer, auto immune disease, and mental health disorders. When we recognize the signs of chronic stress, we can implement relaxation and stress reduction techniques to avoid and prevent these long-term health issues.”

As you analyze your own stress and understand the effects it has on your day-to-day life, you can begin to implement small changes and improvements to reduce the amount of time you spend feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Practical Strategies to Manage Stress

After you have recognized your stress and understand the root cause, there are many ways you can work on reducing it. Whether you like to work out your stress physically or make changes to enhance your mental wellness, the tips below can help:

Exercise & Mindfulness: Physical activity and mindful practices are great ways to manage stress. Exercise can increase your endorphins, improve your mood, and reduce other negative effects of stress on your body. Practicing mindfulness techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, and journaling, can help you to ground yourself when you’re feeling stressed. Incorporating exercise and mindfulness in tandem can help you make strides in reducing your stress and maintaining your mental wellbeing.

“Exercises to reduce both personal, environmental and work stressors are both physical and mental,” Grossi wrote. “Exercises include traditional physical activity such as walking, running, stretching, swimming, and weightlifting, as well as mental health excises like mindfulness, grounding techniques, meditation, and breathing exercises.”

Social Support & Connection: When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s important to lean on your support system for help and guidance. Identifying your friends and family who you feel comfortable confiding in can help you feel less alone when you are feeling stressed. If your stress is negatively affecting your day-to-day life, it may be time to explore professional help.

Check out Acenda Integrated Health’s Adult Counseling and Therapy services if you are interested in seeking professional support.

Healthy Habits & Boundaries: Prioritizing your daily routine and the habits that help you stay healthy and motivated is incredibly important, especially when you’re stressed. Habits like getting good sleep and eating nutritious meals are great ways to improve your mental wellbeing and reduce your stress levels. You can also implement healthy boundaries between yourself, your work, and your social life, by saying “no” when necessary and communicating when you need your own space.

“Consistent healthy habits help to boost self-care which has been proven to maintain wellness and reduce stress in the long term,” Grossi wrote. “Some habits I recommend practicing daily are a consistent sleep hygiene routine, a well-balanced diet, daily exercise, exposure to the sun and nature, frequent check ins with social supports, and engagement in enjoyable hobbies.”

How to Participate in Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month takes place throughout April and presents a great opportunity to reconsider your stress and that of others around you. Whether you try assessing your own stress levels and habits or spreading awareness on how others can take care of themselves, it’s important to consider how stress effects our everyday lives.

If you’re interested in participating in stress-relieving activities in your community, keep an eye out for the following events:

yoga classes at a nearby studio
meditation in a local park
book club at your public library
a walking group with neighborhood friends

When asked about recommendations for promoting stress awareness at work, Grossi wrote that workplaces can serve as supportive environments for stress management through frequent discussion.

Conclusion

By understanding your stress and researching practical strategies for stress reduction, you can work to reduce your feelings of overwhelm and better your mental wellness. Using the professional insight provided throughout this article, you can start to analyze and improve upon your stress. If your stress continues after you have made changes to reduce it, consider reaching out to a counselor or therapist for professional help.

This Stress Awareness Month, take charge and make an effort to reduce your stress — your body, mind, and mental health will thank you for it!

Contributor Spotlight:

Jessica Grossi is a Program Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor who has been with Acenda Integrated Health since 2014. She has worked in the agency on various outpatient contracts and is currently providing services to Acenda’s outpatient department and supportive housing programs. She received her undergraduate degree from Cabrini College before earning her graduate degree from Villanova University.

“I am passionate about giving back to the community and helping others work through their mental health struggles.”

About the Author

Riley de Jong, Communications Strategist at Acenda, attended the University of California – Los Angeles for her undergraduate degree in Communication and minor in Entrepreneurship. She enjoys supporting her community, telling engaging stories, and connecting with others.