Stress Awareness Month

Stress is a real part of most lives. Working hard at their job may also come with a price. The price of success may result in poor health, stress and burnout. April brings this issue and other issues of stress into the spot light with National Stress Awareness Month. Leaving stress behind at work may be a bit difficult for many. There are some things that you can do to have a happier life.

Take the time to unwind. Stress happens, sometimes it can not be avoided. That is why it is important to relax, renew and rejuvenate. Holding stress in is not good for the body. Long time stress can lead to headaches, stomach disorders and depression. Stress can also lead to strokes and heart disease. 

It does not matter who in your house is stressed, it is a good to get everyone together over dinner for some time to unwind and get together. More than 1/2 Americans turn to their family or friends when they feel stressed, another 1/3 try to withstand the stress alone. The fight or flight sympathetic stress response is a survival mechanism that is hardwired into our nervous system. This mechanism is good when quick reflexes are needed but chronic stress can lead to illness

Chronic stress can be combated. Be willing to be flexible you may have to choose your response techniques:

• Recognize times when you dont have control and let it go
• Dont get anxious about situations that you can not change
• Control your own reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control. 
• Develop your own vision of a healthy living, wellness and personal growth and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.

There are some was that you can help cheer yourself up. Start with keeping photos by your desk or an inspiring quote by your nightstand. Visual cues trigger your brain to think of good memories and creates  positive emotion. Visual cues can also help you to recall that goal you accomplished in the past and that you can do it again. 

In addition to visual cues be sure to take time to relax and recharge. Taking time to take care of yourself each day can help you be able to handle stress that life offers you. A few things you can take a little time and combat stress include:

• taking a walk
• reading a  book
• going for a run
• have a cup of tea or coffee
• play a sport
• spend time with a friend or loved one
• practice yoga or meditation.

Stress will never go away but you can improve how you deal with it. A healthy balanced life, time for work and time for play, good relationships, a bit of time to relax and have fun

One last way to help yourself deal with stress is to get enough sleep. The brain processes things differently when it is low on sleep. It seems that while we work many hours we do not give our bodies the rest and rejuvenation that they need. While you may consider 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night a waste of time it is truly an investment in the making. 

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