National Stress Awareness Day! (10 Ways to Cope!)
Everyone experiences a little stress in their lives now and then. How stress is managed after its occurrences matters; especially when it is not acute (from an accident or argument). Today, more and more people are stressed out and don’t know what to do about it. They are stressed about their families, jobs, relationships, their finances, health, the events happening in the world, you name it. Life has become too overwhelming to cope with for many during these arduous times. The thing is many people don’t realize how serious stress is. If someone suffers from chronic stress that is not dealt with immediately, it can lead to all types of diseases and eventually death.
What is National Stress Awareness Day
National Stress Awareness Day is on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022. Every year National Stress Awareness Day occurs on the first Wednesday in November. This day came about by Carole Spiers, the chairwoman at the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) to promote and bring public awareness to what stress is and how to manage and reduce it in people’s daily lives. She brought forth this day, which is then followed by Stress Awareness Week to make a difference in people’s and organizations' lives for the better.
What is International Stress Management Association (ISMA)?
ISMA is a charity that specializes in personal and environmental stress management, mental health, well-being, and performance. It has been around for 30 years educating the masses on the importance of taking care of their mental health.
What is Stress?
Stress is the natural response people get from extreme pressures or tensions that occur within and around the body from living life. Stress is often called the “fight or flight response. The body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol when in stress mode. Acute stress is short-term in length, it is resolved rather quickly.
The demand from life’s stressors is sometimes so strong one has a hard time coping. Stress can impact any or every part of life, inclusive of sleep, energy, work, relationships, etc. Feeling stressed sometimes is normal but feeling stressed all the time is not. Stress can lead to emotional, mental, and physical illnesses. If long-term or chronic stress is not attended to, it can lead to diseases like heart disease, hypertension, cancer, sleep issues, low immunity, and more. Stress can cause heart attacks or even strokes; this is something to take very seriously. Assessing life’s situations from relationships, and environments, to employment institutions are imperative, because some people, places, and things can be toxic to the health and well-being of the body, mind, spirit, and soul.
Facts About Stress
· Stress is a choice (time to become conscious)
· Stress can cause health problems if not managed
· Stress can cause severe migraines
· Stress can kill, it can also be a silent killer
· Stress can cause depression
· Stress can impact your sleep
· Stress can cause you to make bad decisions
· Stress can cause you to desire to eat unhealthy foods
· Stress can be stronger than willpower
10 Tips to Manage Stress
1. TAB
a. Take a break from: ……. You name it, you take a break from it. A break for as little as 5 minutes may be helpful in certain situations.
b. Take a break from watching negative news on TV. News watching alone can cause just about anyone with a moral compass to feel sad or stressed.
2. Physical Activity
a. Take care to be physically active at least 30 minutes a day, 5x a week and make sure to get 2 days of strength training in. Break the time up if you need to. 10 minutes in the morning, and 20 at night.
3. Meditate
a. Being mindful and still helps manage stress, anxiety, and even lowers blood pressure amongst other things. We advise that you sit with your legs uncrossed because crossed legs tend to cut off circulation. If you can sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor or sit on the ground with your feet out in front or to the side of you in a side or front split position. (try limiting the time you cross your legs throughout the day as much as you can).
b. Find that quiet space and go within your spirit to calm down.
c. Take some deep breaths
d. Count to 10 slowly
e. Keep a stress ball with you to squeeze when things get hot.
4. Sleep
a. Get a good night’s rest consisting of 7 to 9 hours within a dark, quiet room is imperative in helping to alleviate stress; it relaxes the body.
b. Keep electronics away from you while sleeping.
5. Journal
a. Let go of what is on your mind by putting a pen or pencil on a pad. If that is too hard, consider typing out your thoughts. However, there is supernatural power when writing thoughts out on paper. It is a bonus if you need to remember something because the reticular activating system (RAS) causes the brain to focus and bring things that matter to you to the forefront.
6. Laughter
a. Watch a comedy
b. Get around some adventurous, playful people or some silly kids that make you want to laugh. Laughter can soothe tension and relieve stress, hence relaxing the body immediately during and after laughter.
c. Laughing increases endorphins, driving stress away by putting one in a better mood. Endorphins are the “feel good” hormone.
d. Laugh at something silly that you do.
7. You First
a. Place your well-being first. When flying they say to place the oxygen mask over yourself first. Start checking in with you first, before others. Check your pulse and invest in your self-care.
b. Whether going to the spa to partake in some self-care or staying at home to indulge in self-care with a partner or by oneself. Massages can be helpful in destressing.
c. Soaking in a bubble bath
d. Reflexology
e. Manicure & Pedicure
f. Facial
g. Acupuncture
8. Get in Nature
a. Whether you are sitting, exercising, talking, journaling, meditating, biking, skating, dancing, listening to the birds sing, or bird watching, you name it. Nature calms and soothes the nerves, and it will behoove you to invest in making this a part of your destressing regime. When the weather permits, you should consider getting out in nature no less than twice a week.
9. Speak Up
a. If someone or something is bothering you, say something, silence is not an option when your health is involved. Not everyone is a mind reader. Going behind your boss's back complaining about the work and not telling them is not helping the situation, it is obviously hurting you. If you do not tell people what is wrong, how do you expect the situation to ever change? Come up with a solid plan and address circumstances that aggravate or may cause you stress.
10. Hire A Coach/ Get Help
a. Whether you need help in personal development, health, and wellness, lifestyle management, or money, you name it; there is a coach or someone to help you with whatever situation you may be going through. If you have been going through a stressful situation for some time alone, it may be time to swallow your pride and get professional help. We specialize in the transformation of lives within personal development, health, and wellness (fitness, nutrition, and behavior change), and small biz development. You can schedule a donation based 15-minute clarity call here or on our Contact us page. If you need help outside of these areas, find a certified, qualified, licensed professional to assist you.
In Conclusion
This National Stress Awareness Day or Week, take a moment to learn about stress and how it may impact your life. Just like hypertension, it is a silent killer if not addressed. Stress can break down the immune system allowing common colds and diseases to enter the body. If you start to see minor symptoms or signs of anxiety, choose to react differently; learn to let things go. Do not allow stress or its consequences to get the best of you. Think ahead of tactics you can use to handle situations that come upon you moving forward instead of letting situations control you. It is time to be proactive about your health and well-being. Everyone is in control of how they allow situations or people have them feel. Reclaim your life today and vow to minimize the stress that may appear in your life moving forward.
Reference:
Promoting Stress Prevention &Wellbeing