The month of April is National Stress Awareness Month! This has been recognized every April since 1992. Per the Oxford dictionary, stress can be defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” 

Stress is highly subjective and can differ for everyone. It can lead to sudden reactions (palpitations, chest pain, heartburn, headache) or develop over time (ulcers, heart attack, stroke). It can cause anxiety, trouble sleeping, stomach problems, changes in appetite or energy, increased use of drugs or alcohol, and mental health conditions, among other things. Typically, when we think of stress, we think of the chronic, bad type. Sometimes, however, stress can be a good thing: it may motivate you to meet a deadline or complete a task. It can help you focus. Good stress is short-term and associated with a positive outcome.

Stress can also be physical, in the sense of running a marathon, for example. This places “stress” on your body through the repetitive running motion but can also stress your mind if you worry about being able to finish or are attempting to break a certain time. 

Many times in life we create our own stress. Ten individuals may be presented with the same situation and they all may handle it differently. One may fly through the scenario with no concerns while another worries so much about the outcome that they cause themself to have anxiety and palpitations. Yet another may be so emotionally strained that they shut down and cannot complete the task at hand. Stress is all about having the tools available to manage it!

Knowing how to manage stress can ultimately lead to a healthier lifestyle (an improved mental state and minimized health-related issues) and a happier you! It is important to know where to find help when you need it and also how to help others when we begin to recognize the warning signs of stress. 

Ways to manage stress: Do’s and Don’ts

We asked some of our Corum pharmacists what their favorite ways to manage stress and relax are. What are yours?

Megan’s top 5:

1. Get outside in the sunshine (if it is an outdoor workout that is even better!)
2. Spending time with my husband & baby girl
3. Read a good book
4. Hang out with my dog
5. Cook a favorite or new recipe 

Danielle’s top 5:

1.  Do arts & crafts with my daughter
2. Take my dog for a walk
3. Watch a romantic comedy
4. Read a good book
5. Have dinner with friends

Steve’s top 5:

1. Listening to my vinyl album collection
2. Early morning workouts
3. Going to concerts/comedy shows
4. Spending time with grandkids
5. Walking through the MO Botanical Garden with my wife

Written by: Megan Holland, PharmD

Additional resources and information:

• https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/civil/national-stress-awareness-month
• https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/cope-with-stress/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmentalhealth%2Fstress-coping%2Fcare-for-yourself%2Findex.html
• https://mhanational.org/get-involved/stress-screener
• https://mhanational.org/ten-tools
• https://www.stress.org/what-is-stress

Other articles you may be interested in:

• https://corumpharmacy.com/serotonin-syndrome-an-overview/