4 Apr 2023
Stress Awareness Month: It’s Time to take Stress Seriously
April 1st marks the beginning of Stress Awareness Month which raises awareness of stress and the impact it can have on our lives. There are a number of different types of stress, and we all feel some level of it at some point, but for some, it can have hugely detrimental effects on both mental and physical health.
The Stress Management Society explains, “stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest public health challenges that we’re facing. Sadly, even though that is the case, we are still not taking its impact seriously enough. We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice versa. The reality is they cannot be separate – they are two sides of the same coin.” So, what can we do to recognise stress, and how do we take steps to reduce it?
What is stress?
The World Health Organization defines stress as “state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.”
Stress can be caused by several things including work, relationships, an accident or injury, finance, moving house, having a baby, or a number of other large life events. Short term stress is very common, but if this spills over into a longer-term issue, it can begin to take a big toll on our health.
How do we know if we are stressed?
According to the NHS, there are a number of mental and physical symptoms of stress which include:
- headaches or dizziness
- muscle tension or pain
- stomach problems
- chest pain or a faster heartbeat
- difficulty concentrating
- struggling to make decisions
- feeling overwhelmed
- constantly worrying
- being forgetful
There may also be behavioural changes that can include being irritable, feeling exhausted, insomnia, changes in appetite and diet, relying on alcohol or cigarettes, avoiding certain people or places that are triggering.
Stress and physical health
Long-term stress has been closely associated with heart attacks and strokes as well as a myriad of other health conditions. According to the British Heart Foundation, “constant stress has been linked to higher activity in an area of the brain linked to processing emotions, and an increased likelihood of developing heart and circulatory disease. The researchers from Harvard University suggested stress could be as important a risk factor as smoking or high blood pressure.”
Despite the serious mental and physical health ramifications of stress, it still seems to be something most people don’t take seriously enough.
Can stress be prevented?
There are certain ways to help prevent stress which include exercise, self-care and taking time out to check in with yourself, setting achievable goals such as spending 20 minutes in the garden or reading a few chapters of a book, avoiding unhealthy habits like drinking too much or over-eating, and relying on those around you to help ease any burdens you might be facing. Talking to friends and family about your feelings can often help short term stress, and listening to podcasts or reading up on the subject may also help.
Of course, sometimes feelings of stress can feel completely overwhelming, and if it’s taking a toll on daily life, it might be time to talk to consider talking to a professional who will be able to offer further tools to help reduce stress levels and prevent serious stress in the future.
How Speed Medical can help
At Speed Medical we provide a whole range of mental health services including psychological and psychiatric assessments and mental health treatments. Our extensive panel of psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors span a wide range of specialisms including effective treatment for stress.
Stress can have a huge impact on people’s lives, but it doesn’t have to. Our panel of experts are here to help and are located across the country. Get in touch today to talk to our team about all our mental health and treatment services.
