Stress Awareness

APRIL is Stress Awareness Month, which highlights the causes and cures of stress. Stress is the body’s response to pressure. It can be triggered by experiencing something new, unexpected or unfamiliar, over which we feel we have no control.

“When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals to prepare the body for physical action,” Neil Shah from the Stress Management Society says.

“The problem is if we are kept in a state of stress for long periods it can be detrimental to our health.”

Stress is on the increase, with 74% of people feeling so stressed they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

The pandemic has had a big effect on people’s stress levels, with nearly half of UK adults feeling stressed five or more days a month.

Tell-tale signs of stress are feeling anxious, angry, aggressive or sad. The physical signs may include headaches, indigestion, nausea, sweating or aches and pains.

“It’s a vicious circle, because if you’re stressed, you’re less likely to look after yourself by not eating and sleeping well and socialising – the very things that will make you feel better,” Neil says.

“Stress can also weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.”

Recognising you are stressed is important.

“Often people wait to seek help,” Neil adds. “The earlier you seek support, the easier it is to manage stress. Chat to a friend or family member or seek professional help.”

Long-term stress can lead to serious issues like high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.

“The heart is the first organ in the body to experience stress,” Neil says. “It’s no coincidence that the incidence of heart disease is increasing as stress levels rise.”

One of the biggest factors of stress is the loss of the sense of community.

“The pandemic has changed our approach to life,” Neil says. “As a result of Zoom, Facetime and other platforms, we’re spending more time in the virtual world than ever before. We’re not connecting physically, and we are social creatures.

“Community is the theme of our awareness month. We need to come together and support each other.”

Find family or friends who can offer support, and join a club or course, which can expand your social network. Volunteering is another way of bringing you into contact with new people, while helping a good cause at the same time.

Another way of managing stress is to remember you have a choice on how you react to a situation.

“It is a choice,” Neil explains. “Step back from a situation and think about how you will react to it.”

For more information, visit www.stress.org.uk. ■