April is Stress Awareness Month, so now’s the perfect time to check in with yourself and be honest about how you’re feeling… and with so much going on in the wider world, as well as at home, it would hardly be surprising if you are feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.
Leaving stress unaddressed can cause significant problems if you’re not careful and you may not even be aware that stress is already leading to certain health issues, such as headaches, insomnia, poor concentration and a general feeling of being unwell.
All these can be put down to other factors, but stress is one of the biggest culprits so it’s always worth investigating to see if this is what’s causing your concerns.
What are the common effects of stress?
Stress can affect you physically, but it can also have a big impact on your thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Physically, you may experience chest pain, muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, stomach problems, lack of sex drive and so on. As for your mood, you might struggle with anxiety, restlessness, memory problems, anger, irritability and depression.
Behaviourally, stress can lead to over or undereating, substance misuse, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, angry outbursts and social withdrawal, among many others.
How to identify sources of stress
Big stressors that can affect your health include problems with your job, money worries, relationship difficulties and significant life changes like the death of a loved one. But smaller stressors can also take their toll, such as having to rush around each morning or having to go on a long commute to get to work and back.
To help you work out what’s causing your stress, start making a list of all the different challenges and worries that you have, both external and internal, so that you can work out the best strategies to help you cope with both.
How to manage stress
Unfortunately, you’ll never be able to eliminate stress entirely from your life and new challenges will always present themselves over time. As such, you need to work out stress management techniques to help you become more resilient and better able to handle stressful situations.
Looking after your physical health is one of the best ways to help you manage stress, so wherever possible stay physically active, get enough sleep and follow a well-balanced diet, and you’re sure to feel a boost in your mood.
Having a good support network can also prove very beneficial, helping you to build resilience and make stress management easier. A problem shared is a problem halved, so talking to those closest with you could really help you access the support you need.
And, finally, mindfulness is a really good way of becoming more resilient. The practice involves focusing your attention on your breath, letting your thoughts come and go naturally without dwelling on them. After a while, you’re sure to feel calmer, more at peace and better able to tackle stressful situations when they appear.
