Let’s talk about when we get stressed, and how to deal with it!
Stress effects everyone differently and getting to know yourself helps you to manage stress and the side effects of it. Getting to understand what stress is, and how it works for you, can lead to effective recovery from stressful events in the future.
There are different types of stress: toxic, short term, or long term—all of which carry physical and mental health risks.
Health problems can occur if the source of stress is constant, becomes chronic, or if the stress response continues after the trigger has subsided. In response to danger, your body prepares to face a threat or flee to safety – AKA fight or flight. In these situations, your pulse quickens, you breathe faster, your muscles tense, your brain uses more oxygen and increases activity—all functions aimed at survival, but cause health issues if prolonged.
Long term/chronic stress may be the hardest type of stress to notice at first because it is something that is probably more consistent in your life – usually brought on by pressures of school, family, work and other daily responsibilities. It is important to recognize the signs of your body's response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, being easily angered, feeling depressed, having low energy, and maybe even using alcohol and other substances. As you begin to notice these changes, you may be able to identify your chronic stressor.
The effects of stress tend to build up over time. Taking smart steps to manage your stress can reduce or prevent the effects of it. Here are some helpful tips to manage your stress:
- Do regular self-check-ins to see if you are feeling symptoms of stress, then you can evaluate what is causing it.
- To manage stress, get regular exercise; physical exertion often helps with stress maintenance.
- When feeling high stress, try a relaxing activity such as coloring, drawing, deep breathing, yoga, or other gentle exercises to help refocus your mind.
- Be sure to stay connected and do not isolate yourself. A sense of community and support can do amazing things for levels of stress.
- To manage multiple stressors, make lists and prioritize responsibilities to decide what must get done and what can wait, and learn to say no to extra tasks.
Remember that if stress gets out of hand for you, reach out to a doctor or health care provider. You should seek help right away if you have suicidal thoughts, are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, or are using drugs or alcohol to cope. You can call or text EveryMind at 301.738.2255 for a supportive listener. Your doctor may be able to provide a recommendation. You can find resources to help you find a mental health provider by visiting: www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.
Find our #StressedOut series over on Instagram!