'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwYQAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgQAIQUGERIBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAcRAAIBAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEEQUGITFBccH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AJ9P5Lm51OPtTFJcHV6koLUsAsCiIeuJBP0BDXmt5iL/AHZ7L1mak/K5OYYAnYBlrGMRtCkea7vlc5CFAox12PlDe7I1tbXTTFlTIjF+Scng+fdf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Stress Awareness Month has been observed since April 1992. Living a healthy and fulfilling life can be greatly improved by learning to manage our worries and discovering constructive ways to deal with all of these circumstances. After all, worries can have a variety of negative effects on your body.
One of the largest public health issues we are currently dealing with is poor mental health. However, despite the fact that this is the case, we still do not take its effects seriously enough. We still distinguish between physical and mental health and vice versa. These are two opposites of the same coin, and thus in reality cannot be distinguished.
What is Stress Awareness Month? Why is it Celebrated?
This month aims to increase the public's understanding of the effects and impact of this common condition. As per the American Psychiatric Association, 26% of respondents believe that in 2023, their mental health will worsen and they will experience greater levels of stress.
Trending
It can also be a precursor to several other conditions. From more severe mental health conditions like anxiety and depression to physical concerns including heart disease, sleeplessness, digestive problems, immune system challenges, etc.
Mental stability, mood, and general health all improve when there are fewer stressors in your life. This month, carefully consider how you can keep your workday worry-free. There are a number of relatively easy ways to do this. You don't have to work less or even give up your day job. You can use stress-relieving techniques while still carrying out your regular work duties.
What is Stress? How does it affect the body?
Despite the fact that everyone experiences it, it can manifest itself in very different ways. Due to this, there is no singular definition. Certain hormones enter your bloodstream when you are in a stressful environment, raising your blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate.
The way the body responds is natural, and it has changed significantly over time to keep you safe. The bodily reaction to potential danger in humans is intended to give your body time to prepare and defend itself in risky circumstances. Nonetheless, humans are prone to long-term perceptions of low-level hazards that can affect our bodies in typical conditions.
Financial strain, issues at work, or conflicts with your significant other can start this stress reaction and prolong it for weeks, months, or even years at a time. This slows down the aging process in your body. The following are a few of the most typical health issues:
1) Brain Function
Chronic tension can have a severe negative impact on both your mind and body. Because stress alters the structure of your brain, it can lead to mental, emotional, and cognitive problems as well as degrade cognitive abilities.
2) Immunity-Related challenges
Because worry activates your body's fight-or-flight response, which produces chemicals and hormones, putting it through this prolonged stress will prevent your body from ever receiving the signal to resume regular operation. Your immune system may become weaker as a result. You may then become more susceptible to infections and recurring illnesses.
3) Cardiovascular conditions
Palpitations, an accelerated heart rate, and chest pain are symptoms of stress and anxiety disorders. Your chances of acquiring heart disease and high blood pressure significantly increase. An anxiety illness may increase your risk of having a coronary event if you already have any cardio health issues.
4) Concerns with the Digestive System
Your digestive and excretory systems will be impacted by worries and anxiety as well. It can cause a variety of digestive problems, including nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and more. It can drive people to overeat or lose their appetite, which can result in weight loss and other issues including malnutrition and dehydration.
5) Respiratory conditions
Breathing becomes quick and shallow under tension and worry. You have a higher chance of being admitted to the hospital for anxiety-related consequences if you already have a pre-existing ailment like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover, it might worsen the symptoms of asthma.
Chronic tension can have a severe negative impact on both your mind and body. As tension alters the organization of your brain, it can lead to mental, emotional, and cognitive problems as well as degrade cognitive abilities.
The ability to communicate with people about your worries may be the most important lesson learned. This applies in both directions since you need to be able to talk to people who come to you with problems as well as to others about your own concerns.
Stress Awareness Month aims to increase public knowledge of the causes and treatments for the stress epidemic that exists today. Now is the perfect time to have a candid discussion about the effects of mental strain and techniques to deal with it.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comments section below.
