Stress becomes easier to carry the moment we stop carrying it alone.
April is Stress Awareness Month, so there is no better time to explore some ways that people manage and deal with the stresses in their lives; specifically, how there is a pervasive need to be a part of the culture of “I’m Fine” and what that means for people’s overall mental health and wellbeing.
Minimizing any mental health condition comes with its own set of complications; when difficulties are swept under the rug, they tend to grow and worsen as time goes on, building up to a point where they can no longer be ignored. Usually, this is when people tend to “break,” resulting in extended time away from work, isolating from friends or family, or moments of extreme emotion all at once. Stress is a signal, and one that if ignored, can have long-lasting consequences.
Stress has two components: the psychological and the physiological. When we experience elevated levels of stress, our thoughts feel more scattered and disconnected, which can affect relationships and work performance. Additionally, when left unchecked, stress increases the level of cortisol and adrenaline in the body, keeping you in the fight or flight mindset even when there is no reason to be. This can bring on headaches, rapid heart rate, and chronic inflammation. The longer the stress is ignored, the harder it becomes to address it. There are people who minimize this type of stress for years, until it simply becomes their baseline, and people who manage their stress in a healthy way become enviable.
There is no denying that life is becoming more stressful for many people. Financially, relationally, personally, and professionally, there are higher demands with fewer resources to go around. From a top-down perspective, society seemingly encourages high levels of stress: it means you’re a hard worker, highly motivated, driven to succeed. At what cost? The lionization of shorter sleeps and longer work hours might make it feel like that is the correct path, but it only leads to burnout, fatigue, and unachievable goals. This is especially dangerous when it is passed along to coworkers, friends, and family members as a healthy example of mental health management. Encouraging people to take care of themselves starts with taking care of yourself. Find ways to decompress and talk about your stresses to people in your life. It will make a difference to everyone involved.
Acknowledging and managing stress does not make you weak. Quite the opposite, in fact! It shows strength, resilience, and self-worth. While life will likely always have a certain amount of stress, it is up to you to be aware of when it starts to get out of hand and bleed into other areas of your life. Reaching out for support is a decision that will have a positive ripple effect in many areas of your life.
Walmsley EFAP