Stress Awareness Day

“Many of us feel stress and get overwhelmed not because we’re taking on too much,but because we’re taking on too little of what really strengthens us”
-Marcus Buckingham

According to the APA’s 2015 Stress in America survey, adults are getting more stressed. Increased stress can impact overall well-being including physical, emotional, and social health. In trying to balance work and family life, we often find ourselves juggling multiple pressures, with little time left for ourselves. Though stress is a difficult part of life, it is also unavoidable.

We often do not realize there is value to stress in our everyday lives. Stress often motivates us to achieve many of our goals. However, too much of anything is usually a problem. This is definitely the case with stress. Many adults feel that they are not doing enough to manage their stress. Therefore, while it is important to accept stress as a natural part of life, it is very important to make efforts to keep our stress at manageable levels, to reduce its negative effects.

National Stress Awareness Day

Today is National Stress Awareness Day! It’s a great day to take a look at the stresses in your life and begin to problem-solve how you might go about reducing them. It can be hard to notice things that create stress, and sometimes even harder to think of how to cope. There are many available supports and resources that can help. Seek support from a family member, friend, or professional. There may be some stresses you can eliminate, and others you must learn to manage. The goal is to minimize the negative impact of stress. The Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace provides great tips. Here are a few to get you thinking about how to start reducing stress in your daily life. Remember, reducing stress does not have to be complicated. Anyone can begin by making small but impactful changes.

Everyday Stress Reduction Tips

• Relaxation– take a few moments to re-center yourself and become present; clear your head for a few moments and oxygenate your body. 
  • Take a few deep breaths
  • Practice a moment of mindfulness
• Get Moving– staying sedentary for too long can also contribute to tension. Do something to get your blood flowing. 
  • Stand up and stretch every hour
  • Go for a quick walk when you have a small break. Enjoy the outdoors and take in the beauty of nature
  • Exercise is so important for overall well-being. Make it a habit to get physically activity at least twice a week 
  • Yoga is a great option for incorporating exercise, relaxation, and stretching 
• Fuel Yourself– our bodies need the proper nutrition to fuel our everyday activities 
  • Stay hydrated– be sure to drink enough water throughout the day 
  • Eat healthy snacks and meals– you are what you eat, so make sure you are eating nutritious fuel 
  • Take vitamins– our bodies need the proper nutrients to function optimally. It can be difficult sometimes to get the right amount and types of nutrients, vitamins can be a great supplement to healthy eating habits 
• Be Kind to Yourself– be your own cheerleader, not your worst critic 
  • Minimize negative thoughts– pay attention to the words you tell yourself via your thoughts. Are you giving yourself a hard time? Are you unfairly judging or criticizing yourself? Work on refocusing and reframing your thoughts. 
  • Focus and reframe on the positive- Be aware of any unrealistic expectations such as perfectionism and focus on realistic expectations. If you make a mistake, look at it like a learning opportunity, what might you do differently next time? You might not be able to fix your error, but you can learn from it! 
  • Acknowledge your achievements– what have you done RIGHT today? Acknowledge the small successes you have had throughout the day and give yourself a little pat on the back for the things you have already done well! 

Wishing everyone a stress-reducing Stress Awareness day!