Stress Awareness Day

16 april 2024 year

April 16th is Stress Awareness Day, observed annually at the initiative of the British International Stress Management Association.

Stress - is the body's reaction to factors that potentially threaten a person's physical and mental health. These factors can vary: job loss, the death of a loved one, physical overload, or working under time constraints. Stress can arise from minor issues as well as more tragic situations, triggering emotional reactions in individuals accompanied by a range of physiological and psychological disturbances. It's known that stress is the cause of perhaps 90% of all illnesses.

Events of today, which do not allow for relaxation and rest, especially exacerbate the stressful situation. Whether at the center of events, observing them, or just browsing through the constantly updating news feed, we all, even involuntarily, feel the influence of stress factors. The main symptoms of stress include:

• Severe fatigue, inattention;
• Irritability, aggression;
• Anxiety, excessive worry;
• Baseless fears;
• Memory disorders;
• Regular physical ailments;
• Difficulties in relationships with family or loved ones, spending less time with them;
• Lack of desire to return to work or inefficiency at work;
• Feeling of alienation, lack of recognition in society.

Usually, it's difficult for a person to prepare for a stressful situation in advance, but it is possible to anticipate and prepare for stressful events. It's noted that positive social support (family, friends, colleagues, like-minded groups) can be one of the most important factors in a person's stress resilience.

To cope with stress, it's necessary to get enough rest, eat regularly and drink water, spend time with family, engage in physical exercises, and so on. It's not advisable to consume alcoholic beverages or smoke.

Here are a few tips for quick self-help during stress:

These simple and straightforward actions, though may seem unclear at first glance, help engage all available sensory organs, thereby distracting the brain from an excessive stress reaction.

If the emotional state doesn't improve, it's advisable to seek counseling from a psychologist. Many people feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or even scared when they first consider asking for psychological support, but it's entirely normal. It's important to understand that seeking psychological help is a step towards self-awareness and improvement of well-being.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. In these challenging times, we must support each other!