De-Stress Your Stress
April 4, 2023By: Ciara Rojas-Pate
Categories: Spiritual Wellness, Your Wellness
April is Stress Awareness Month. Time to take stock of the stressors in our lives. Tax season is in full swing. Inflation is on the rise and the list may go on and on for many of us.
The American Institute of Stress reports 55% of Americans feel stressed during the day. A small amount of stress can be good and motivate us to complete tasks and projects. But feeling stress daily can lead to health issues, like anxiety disorders or depression.
Stress affects everyone differently. It’s important to recognize the symptoms and know how to de-stress.
Notice the Signs
James Trahan, MD, a psychiatrist with Meritas Health Psychiatry, says symptoms of stress include:
- losing sleep or appetite
- drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- losing mental focus
“Things that are important to us trigger stress,” Dr. Trahan said. “We also respond to events shown in the media. This can leave us feeling powerless and stressed.”
Experiencing daily stress can cause cortisol, a stress hormone, to stay at high levels. This can affect blood pressure and glucose levels. “Stress affects people who have high blood pressure and diabetes more,” Dr. Trahan explained. “It doesn’t cause these conditions, but it does aggravate them.”
Calming Your Stress
There are simple actions you can take to manage stress. Dr. Trahan recommends breathing exercises. Doing this for a few minutes helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress. It can be as simple as a walk around the block to help you feel calm. Don’t forget to limit alcohol and get plenty of rest to help reduce stress levels.
Dr. Trahan recommends not being alone or isolating yourself. It’s important to have people in your life -who you’re comfortable sharing your worries and stressors with. “Call an old friend or a family member,” Dr. Trahan said. “Just hearing their voice and sharing what you are going through can help.”
In this fast-paced world with taxes, inflation, and so much more crowding our minds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, make sure you take time for yourself when you can.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Trahan or another psychiatrist with Meritas Health Psychiatry for additional help and support for managing stress. Learn more ways you can reduce stress in your life like gardening, massages and more.
