Ways to Address Stress
April 4, 2023
April is Stress Awareness Month and I know we all feel the stress and its negative effects sometimes. There are times when we are treating our patients and their stress levels have a direct impact on their progress in therapy. There are times when we therapists are feeling the stress of our lives, inside and outside the clinic. Step one is always to recognize when we are stressed and understand what we can do about it. Stress is often a response to an external stimulus and can often be relieved by removing that stimulus.
There are several ways to cope with stress. We can use technology to download an app that helps us relax, eating a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stick to a sleep routine that works for you, avoid drinking excessive caffeine, keeping a journal, or asking for help. Just finding one or two positive ways to cope with your stress can go a long way to helping you feel better about it.
Taking time to know ourselves, what makes us stressed, and how we can combat our stress are all very important. Please remember to take your time to understand what you need and to work to balance that with the other demands in your life. Never be afraid to ask your family, friends, our trusted healthcare providers for help and direction in how to deal with stress.
References:
https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/civil/national-stress-awareness-month
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet