April is Stress Awareness Month

April 5, 2021

April is right here—meaning longer days are here and warmer weather is near. April also happens to be Stress Awareness Month; unfortunately, no one is immune to stress, it happens to all of us. Stress often manifests itself within the body physically and can take quite the toll on you mentally if not dealt with properly. Here are five tips to help you deal with present or future stress:

Take Control:

Most of the time, stress is caused by factors that are out of our control. Your health isn’t one of them. Mental health affects physical health and physical health affects mental health. That’s why making sure you’re eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep are essential in establishing strong mental health.

Relax Regularly:

Trying to relax while you’re under stress is easier said than done. You can start by doing five minutes of focused deep breathing. Meditation is one of the most effective ways to deal with stress, as well as the most accessible. Teaching yourself how to silence the mind is a powerful tool under your belt that will come in handy for dealing with stressful situations.

Let Go:

Are you thinking of yourself in circles due to stress? Try putting your feelings on paper to get them out. This method is an effective way of letting go of thoughts, the idea being, once they’re on paper, there’s no need to keep revisiting them. If you’re not much of a writer, talking to someone is another way of keeping yourself grounded during a stressful situation.

Avoid Drugs and Alcohol:

An increase in stress may cause an increase in alcohol or substance abuse. These are temporary ways of dealing with stress, and are detrimental to your overall health and can cause additional problems for you in the future. It’s best you stay away from both and focus your energy on something worth your while.

Laugh:

Even though it’s corny—it’s true; laughter really is the best medicine. Watch a funny YouTube video or a comedy special on Netflix, or go to the funny cards section at Target to get a good laugh—anything to make you smile and ease your spirits!