What to Know During Stress Awareness Month this April

We all experience stress. It’s unavoidable. Whether your stress is related to work, family stuff, or anything else, it’s common to get a little overstressed from time to time. Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional response. Since it’s so common, we tend to underestimate the physical health problems associated with stress. That’s why at Abraham Family Medicine, we are happy to participate in Stress Awareness Month this April.

Our bodies are designed to experience and react to stress. In truth, stress can at times be positive and help keep us alert in certain situations. However, stress can become harmful when we experience continuous stress without the necessary relief or relaxation to recover. As a result, stress-related tension can build. Too much of this can lead to a condition called distress, otherwise known as a negative stress reaction. Over time, distress can lead to several potentially harmful effects including headaches, stomach issues, high blood pressure, chest pain, as well as emotional distress.

In addition to creating new mental and physical health issues, too much stress can also have a negative effect on existing diseases and ailments that a person has. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, arthritis, or certain skin conditions like psoriasis, stress can exacerbate or worsen your symptoms or condition. In fact, it’s hard to think of a single illness or health condition that will not be aggravated by stress.

We understand that telling you not to get stressed out is not exactly realistic. However, there are a few things you can do to help limit or better manage your daily stress load. Try following these simple steps:

• Talk about your stress. Simply getting something off your chest instead of letting it bubble under the surface can be helpful and therapeutic.
• Give your technology a rest. Sometimes setting aside your phone or computer for a little while can help keep us from getting overstimulated and more stressed.
• Try to take some downtime. Find a relaxing activity like reading, knitting, or meditation that can help recharge your batteries when you need it. Exercise and participating in sports can also help relieve stress.
• Make sure to get enough sleep. Our brains process daily stresses differently when they are not properly rested. Getting the recommended 7 – 9 hours of nightly sleep on a regular schedule can help start your day on the right foot and handle your stress in a more productive, healthy way.

Stress is a natural part of our daily lives, but hopefully this can help bring attention to how crucial it is to acknowledge the importance of stress management. Handling our stress in a healthy manner is a critical part of maintaining our physical and emotional wellbeing. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.