April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month. Bringing recognition to the need for stress management to improve mental and physical health is of the utmost importance.
Stressors in life may be caused by internal and external factors and may impact your health and wellbeing. The importance of knowing what is causing your stress and ways to cope are vital to your overall wellness. There are a plethora of activities that may help your mind and body to manage your stress.
External stressors are daily events that you have little to no personal control such as major life events. This may include but is not limited to a health crisis, caregiving for an ailing loved one, a death in the family, a change in job status, a move, managing a schedule that leaves you no wriggle room or time to complete tasks that you need or want to enjoy, and money concerns.
Internal stressors are a reaction to thoughts or your psychology. This may include but is not limited to fear, depression, and anxiety that may be a reaction to daily events or your brain’s chemistry.
In any event, both external and internal stressors may have the same effects. People tend to have trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time, a loss of appetite, irritability, trouble coping with any or all events, anger, and physical ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, high blood pressure, and a host of many others.
First and foremost, it’s vital that someone that is having difficulty coping with stressors reaches out to someone that can help. Life can be stressful at times; people should know that they are never alone. Professionals in mental health, medicine, and community outreach in healthcare, schools, and social services may have tools that can assist.
At BrightStar Care Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, we see and hear from people who are going through the difficult process of trying to find services for their family and friends to help care for them when all parties are going through one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. We are here to answer any questions you may have, assist you with setting up supplemental assistance, or taking over the care of someone so that you may have a chance to refresh and re-energize.
Most importantly know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.