April is Stress Awareness Month. It’s a time to understand how common stress is and to help people learn how to deal with it. Stress happens when your body reacts to things outside of you.
Some common causes of stress are money problems, social issues, work challenges, or big changes in life. By spotting the signs of stress and using ways to cope, people can handle life’s tough times more easily.
Stress isn’t a mental health problem, but it can lead to other mental health issues. It can show up as feelings like anxiety, irritability, mood changes, being overwhelmed, or trouble focusing.
Stress can also cause physical problems, like headaches, tiredness, or changes in eating and sleeping habits. Sometimes, stress even changes how people act, like avoiding social events, using more alcohol or drugs, putting things off, or not taking care of responsibilities.
When you’re feeling stressed, here are some ways to feel better:
- Make a plan and focus on your most important tasks.
- Avoid distractions so you can stay focused.
- Take short breaks away from your work to refresh your mind.
- Listen to music or do something relaxing, like reading, to help you unwind.
- Drink less caffeine since it can make stress worse.
- Exercise to release stress.
- Try to get at least seven hours of good sleep every night.