04/02/2026
April is National Stress Awareness Month
Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues. Stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension, and we can experience it in many different ways, including feeling numb, sad, frustrated or helpless, finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions, and experiencing physical problems like headaches, bodily pain, and stomach disorders, as well as depression. Stress can damage our health further if we turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope. Stress can affect our relationships with others.
Here are some basic ideas to help ourselves cope with stress:
Take care of yourself – prioritize healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and taking breaks when you need them.
Share your problems and how you are feeling with a family member, friend, or other trusted person.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. These create more problems and ultimately increase stress.
Recognize when you need more help – know when to talk to a psychologist, social worker or counselor.
Potentially the most valuable takeaway here is knowing how to talk to others about your stress. This goes both ways, as you need to know how to discuss your problems with others as well as talk to anyone that comes to you with their issues.
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related iss...