April is Stress Awareness Month. First of all, how is April already!? But we digress. Let’s take this opportunity to look at the impact of stress on mental health. And Waters Edge will also provide some practical ways you can reduce the stress you’re experiencing.
Recognizing April as Stress Awareness Month
Stress can be very debilitating. It can cause and/or exacerbate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of daily life, nobody is immune to it. It is extremely important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when stress happens.
Honestly, we don’t always notice when stress is taking place. Stress Awareness Month is recognized each April. Waters Edge finds it important to learn some strategies for coping with this particular silent pest.
So, let’s get started! While we don’t really allow ourselves the time to think about it any other day, use this month to really explore what is giving you the most stress. Is it from your work? Or family? Do you have a general habit of worrying about little things? Find the stressful areas and plan a course of action to solve them.
What can cause Stress?
Anything from uncertainty in the face of these past couple of crazy years, to losing loved ones, to job loss, feeling alienated – all of these factors (and many more) can cause stress. People like to have a sense of control, and in the past couple of years, that just hasn’t been a possibility.
As a result, it is important to take mindful steps and tackle stress before it mounts, so here are 5 ways to fight stress.
5 Ways to Fight Stress
- Meditate – Make it a priority to unwind in the mornings or evenings. Meditating and practicing gratitude can help rid you of negative emotions and increase resilience.
- Yoga – Yoga is perfect for decompressing. From helping depression to pain relief, yoga is well-known for the benefits it provides to the human body and mind.
- Self Care – Set aside time for yourself to do something enjoyable. Make self-care an imperative part of your daily to-do list. This could incorporate learning a new hobby or bringing back something you enjoy that you haven’t made time for lately.
- Decrease screen time – Defining limits for your screen time can free you up to spend more quality time with family and friends. Screen time can cause added stress for many reasons. Putting down your phone or tablet gives your brain a break from all the clutter. You can use this time to sit with your family, read a book or take up a new hobby.
- Communicate – Make it a habit to talk about your feelings to your loved ones. Maintaining healthy communication strengthens relationships and fights stress. Communicating with a therapist is also a great way to help identify your personal life stressors and find ways to eliminate them.
When it’s Time to Talk to a Therapist
If you find that the stress you’re experiencing is just too overwhelming, it is probably time to talk to a therapist. The counselors at Waters Edge have a vast amount of experience in helping clients deal with stress and anxiety.
We encourage you to give us a call at 912.319.5552 or email us at [email protected] and let us help the right therapist for you. Waters Edge Counseling is here to help.