By: Mandy Tegtmeyer, CWP, Wellness Consultant; WorkSpring

One thing is for sure, everyone experiences stress, and April is National Stress Management Month! With the price of eggs, the political climate, and the current state of the world, stress can seem overwhelming at times, which is why it is more important than ever to manage it. But what exactly does it mean to manage our stress, anyway? Stress Management means reducing the negative impacts caused by stress to improve our physical and mental well-being. But before we can understand how to manage it, we must first understand the different types. The American Institute of Stress breaks the types of stress into four main categories.

Eustress: Good stress in life such as getting married, having a baby, or getting promoted that have positive connotations.

Distress: Bad stress in life, such as experiencing divorce, financial problems, or work difficulties that have negative connotations.

Acute Stress: Fight or flight. The body prepares to defend itself. It takes about 90 minutes for your metabolism to return to normal when the response is over.

Chronic Stress: The cost of daily living: bills, kids, jobs, etc. This is the stress we tend to ignore or push down. Left uncontrolled, this stress can affect your physical health.

As we know, everyone handles stress differently. However, one common thread is that stress can affect our bodies, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Recognizing the common signs and symptoms of stress can help us manage it effectively. Stress that is left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

The “5 R’s” of stress management is a helpful framework for coping.Here’s the breakdown of each:

Rethink: Examine your thoughts, beliefs, and stressors, challenging any negative or irrational ones.

Relax: Engage in activities that promote calmness and reduce tension, such as deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature.

Release: Find healthy ways to release pent-up emotions and stress, such as exercise, creative expression, or talking to someone you trust.

 
Reduce: Identify and minimize stressors in your life, such as over commitment or unhealthy relationships.

Reorganize: Take active steps to improve your time management, prioritize tasks, and create a more balanced and manageable schedule.

For more information on National Stress Awareness Month click the links below. Or to schedule an educational session on the topic of Stress Management for your organization with a member of the Wellness Team, contact us at wellness@workspring.org.

The American Institute of Stress: What is Stress?
NIH - National Stress Awareness Month
CDC - Managing Stress