6 Ways to Beat the Stress During National Stress Awareness Month

Did you know that April is dedicated to National Stress Awareness Month? We all experience stress, yet we may cope with it differently. This is because there are different types of stress and different coping methods may be beneficial for different people. It is important to understand how much stress is a “normal” amount and to know when stress can cause other negative effects not only on your mind, but on your body. This is why National Stress Awareness Month is so important – it’s the perfect time to learn more about the basics of stress and how you can cope better!

3 Types of Stress

When you say you are stressed, you may not specify what type of stress you are feeling – but its still important to understand the differences.

Acute stress will come on suddenly and can be severe such as with an unexpected deadline at work. While this can be nerve-wracking, the feeling will not last long and can be dealt with without any long-term effects.
Eustress is the feeling of stress such as with planning a wedding; it is usually short-term and actually releases good hormones, such as dopamine, which creates a happy feeling. While you may feel under a lot of pressure, it is for something positive and exciting.
Distress is a dangerous form of stress that is often associated with harmful side effects. It is often experienced long-term and is associate with the inability to cope with life events such as the death of someone close to you or financial struggles. Distress may cause headaches, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and disturbances to typical eating and sleeping patterns.

6 Ways to Beat the Stress

Now that you understand the different types of stress, it’s time to focus on how youcan cope with a stressful situation.

1. Exercise: exercise is a great way for you to relieve stress. Low intensity exercises, such as yoga, help you relax and get your mind off of your stressors. Higher intensity exercises typically make your body release endorphins, which may act as de-stressors.

2. Downtime: Make time for things you love to do, whether it is in the evenings after work or on the weekends, prioritize things that matter to you.

3. Breathe:Take a few minutes to get away to a quiet space and take some deep breaths. Clearing your mind for a few minutes every day can help you calm down, focus and feel refreshed!

4. Reflect: List all the good things in your life. Stress can take away from the positives that surround you daily. Bringing your mind back to those things you are proud of or that bring you joy can make certain stressful elements seem trivial and it can put a new perspective on your day!

5. Sleep: Sleep is important in restoring the body and staying healthy. Not getting enough sleep can make your stress worse. Try to clear your mind before going to bed and prevent worries from sabotaging your sleep.

6. Talk it Out: Another wonderful way to relieve stress is to talk it out. Meet up for a cup of coffee or tea with a friend. Sometimes you just need to vent. Sharing your feelings or current situation with a friend can do wonders to relieve stress.

Managing your stress is very important to your overall health. It’s important to find ways to cope with the stress that works for you.

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Your Turn to Take Action:What is your technique for dealing with stress? Let me know in the comments below!