November 3rd Is International Stress Awareness Day
Some people thrive in stress, others crumble. Are either positive coping mechanisms?
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from many different triggers such as work, school, friends, family, finances, etc. Stress is usually manageable and is something everyone experiences, but it can become chronic.
Today, November 3, is International Stress Awareness Day.
International Stress Awareness Day is sponsored by the ISMA, which provides resources on stress management skills, what stress is, and finding a consultant. On this day, let’s learn to take life moment by moment, and to not stress about past or future events that are not bringing us peace and joy in the present!
What is chronic stress?
Chronic stress is caused by prolonged failure to deal with constant stress, which can lead to worsening problems in life. Medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease and decreases in immunity strength can be caused due to chronic stress.
Wednesdays can often be one of the most stressful days of the week as it is mid-week, and so national stress day falls on today as a reminder to do something for yourself! Take a few minutes to focus on your breath, practice mindfulness, cook a good meal, take a long shower, journal, or do whatever brings you peace!
Locate your stress points.
Locate what is causing the stress for you. Then, start to think about what is causing stress in that situation and if it is in your current control. Most of the time, we stress ourselves too deeply about events that are completely out of our control. If it is out of your control, remind yourself of the “even if” in the situation. Even if it could be the worst case scenario, everything would still be okay, right? Well, most likely, the “even if” won’t happen, so remember that when you become too stressed. If there is control in the situation, discover ways you can use that control to help bring more peace to the situation. Can you write a list, prioritize specific tasks, or organize to help with the stress?
Create an environment that is most positive for you.
Laughing, hugging, or connecting with others can help relieve stress because it enhances oxytocin and endorphins, and lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones). Being able to create an environment that is positive for you may be the best way to help relieve tension around you. That could involve lighting candles, listening to music or a podcast, reading a book, cleaning, etc.
Talk to a therapist.
Sometimes, if we are feeling chronically stressed, it can lead to us going into autopilot mode, where we begin to bury our emotions so deeply that we are living each day without living it, but truly just moving through it. This can be dangerous to our emotional and physical health. Talking to a therapist can be incredibly beneficial to open up these emotional boundaries you set for yourself and to find tools to decrease your stress every day.
If you are feeling stressed or you know a loved one who is going through a stressful time, reach out to Arcadian Therapy as we are always here to help you through these seasons of life!
