Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992.

During this annual thirty day period, health care professionals and health promotion experts across the country will join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.

Stress is a normal part of day-to-day life, often caused by heavy workloads, traffic-filled commutes and even interpersonal relationships. Although the human body is designed to cope with moderate stress, continuous unrelenting stress can lead to a wide range of health issues and physical symptoms.

A state of heightened stress can result in an array of complications including headaches, abdominal pain, acne breakouts, muscle tension, and fatigue. Indirectly, stress may have severe long-term effects contributing to unhealthy habits, such as a poor diet and lack of exercise, which can increase the risk of heart disease. Chronic stress may also lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse in addition to worsening existing conditions like asthma and anxiety. Though it would be nearly impossible to avoid stress altogether, there are actions one can take to help manage the stress.

First and foremost, learn to recognize your personal stress triggers. You may have more influence than you realize over certain things. If you overwhelmingly dread your morning commute, consider leaving 15 minutes earlier and see if there is improvement. Additionally, practicing meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are all proven to relax the mind and body. If you don’t have the time or budget to participate in a class, find an online guide and dedicate five minutes of your lunch break to total relaxation. Finally, try to temporarily unplug from your phone. Even if it’s just for a few hours, eliminating the distraction of a smart phone can be instrumental in achieving peace of mind.

It’s undeniable that slowing down can sometimes feel impossible, but it’s also necessary to try to address the needs of your mind and body. Let National Stress Awareness Month serve as a reminder that taking the time to evaluate your stress now can likely save you additional strain in the future.

What to Read Next

Get the latest Lifecare news and health-related insights from our blog.

According to data released by the CDC, Opioid overdose accounted for 84,873 deaths in 2023 — 74,702 from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and 10,171 from natural or semi-synthetic opioids…

The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives…

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60…

Connect with Lifecare

Are you looking for affordable healthcare in your community? We’re here to help! Contact us today for more information or to request an appointment.