Stress is defined by Merriam Webster as a “constraining force of influence: such as physical, chemical or emotional factors that cause bodily or mental tension…..”
Some facts about stress:
- Stress affects everyone.
- Not all stress is bad. Stress can motivate you to achieve your best and help you cope with dangerous situations.
- Long-term constant stress can be harmful to your health causing physical and emotional symptoms.
- Learning to cope with stress is the key. National Institute of Mental Health (2020)
Can you relate? Likely so, as everyone deals with stress to some degree though recent studies have shown that healthcare workers in particular experience more stress than other professions.
Mental Health America (2020)
A note from the Synchronous Specialist Team, “Stress comes from a lot of places, such as work, relationships, finances or other things. We all know this, and it’s important not to create stress where there isn’t any.
For example:
- Do you have negative conversations in your head before you actually have them out loud, making you even more anxious about it?
- Do you make negative assumptions about what others think of you?
- Do you contemplate a lot of “what if” scenarios that most likely won’t happen?
Be intentional about your thoughts and try not to stress about the “what ifs.” We have enough valid stressors in our life already, try not to invent ones that aren’t there.”
Here are some tips to consider when you feel stressed:
Examine. Recognize the signs of your body’s response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, or having low energy. National Institute of Mental Health (2020)
Establish. Ask yourself whether you’re having conversations in your head that set a negative tone. If you are experiencing that, take a step back, and shift your internal dialog to focus on what is real, what is positive and how you can best cope with it. Shifting your thoughts can change your mood altogether.
Exit. Think about the things in your life that aren’t healthy, be it relationships, schedule, habits or other patterns, and consider how to establish healthy boundaries within those, or exit them altogether. Healthy boundaries can make all the difference, but sometimes endings are necessary. All of the above can be done in love.
Exhale. When was the last time you exhaled? We know breathing is necessary to life, and as cliché as it may sound, breathing is not only a key component to existence, but has also been shown to greatly impact the levels of stress and anxiety we can feel throughout a day. The benefits of deep vs. shallow breathing are quite profound. Pause. Breath in deep. Exhale slow and fully. Repeat Regularly.
If you’re feeling like you could use some additional support, our team is ready to serve you. To learn more and register, call 844-242-3364.
