Managing Stress
November 2, 2022 is International Stress Awareness Day. Stress is a normal part of life. It's the body's natural way of responding to challenges and threats. Even positive events, such as getting married or having a baby, can cause stress. Stress can be good or bad, depending on the situation. For instance, stress may help you meet a challenge or complete an important task on time. On the other hand, if your stress levels are too high and remain that way over an extended period of time, then this may lead to negative effects on your health and well-being.
Stress causes a variety of symptoms that can result in difficult feelings or behaviors. Physical symptoms of stress include headaches, a fast heartbeat, and stomach problems, among others. Psychologically, stress can lead to excessive worry, forgetfulness, and irritability. Behavioral responses to stress manifest as trouble sleeping, crying, eating more or less, or relying on alcohol or other substances.
While stress is not itself a mental health disorder, chronic stress can worsen existing mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. An exceptionally stressful event, known as acute stress, may result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fortunately, stress can be managed. Rethink.org, the founding organization of International Stress Awareness Day, provides a number of helpful tips for managing stress:
Keep a stress diary to identify stress triggers and find ways to reduce or manage them.
Manage your finances. Financial stress is common, but developing a budget or seeking financial guidance can help mitigate money woes.
Talk to a friend or counselor.
Make healthy lifestyle choices. Prioritize exercise, sleep, and good nutrition.
Try mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind.
Stress levels change over time, making stress difficult to manage. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress, don't hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or doctor who specializes in this area. We have several community partners in Wayne and Holmes Counties that provide counseling services to help you talk through your stressors and how they affect your life. For contact information on these organizations, please visit our Find Help page on our website.
Wayne/Holmes Mental Health & Recovery Board
We aim to improve awareness of and access to mental health and addiction treatment and prevention services in Wayne & Holmes Counties.
We provide leadership, support, and funding to community partners and agencies in the delivery of mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Our agencies provide addiction treatment programs, mental health counseling, suicide prevention programming, and more! Experience you can trust.