STRESS AWARENESS MONTH This April welcomes stress awareness month! Presenting a conversation about one of the most common mental illness which affects almost half (39%) of the British population at least once a week at work. For 15% it’s every single day!
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re you stressed and under pressure? Are you struggling to cope with the daily demands of your life? Stress is something that affects the majority of us on a day to day basis, that being big or small. Stress Awareness Month has been held annually every April since 1992, and has been created to help educate people on how to deal with stress efficiently and to share awareness of the fact it’s ok to be stressed; you’re never alone!
WHY DO WE GET STRESSED? Stress is a physical reaction that our body develops when we are under strain and pressure. Our body responds to this by producing chemicals and hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine ready to attack, known as the ‘fight or flight’ reflex. This can, unfortunately, trigger a butterfly effect of health problems. There are a variety of symptoms people experience when being stressed, including: • Poor Judgement • Inability to Concentrate • ‘Brain Fog’ • Indecision • Starting many tasks but achieving little • Self-doubt
28 April 2020
There are many factors as to why someone can become stressed and it is different for every individual. Something which could cause you to become stressed might not faze someone else; they could even find it enjoyable! There are many aspects of general life which can cause stress such as: • Bereavement • Major events • Illness or Injury • Caring for a loved one • Having too much on your schedule • Relationship issues (partner or family) • Financial Problems • Work or School • Commuting • Children • Commuting • Just being stressed about stress! We all know to try to balance the stresses of commitments between aspects such as work, your social life, eating healthy and staying fit can all have their strains. But it’s not all doom and gloom! Stress can have some positive external factors, after all where would we be without stress? It could be stress
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regarding a new job or a wedding, any major life-changing events; high demanding successful situations are usually two things that usually come associated with one another.
HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH STRESS If stress isn’t dealt with correctly they can potentially lead to other health problems such as: • Blood being diverted to muscles • Aches and pains • Problems sleeping • Tiredness • Fatigue • Headaches • Skin conditions such as eczema & acne • Weight problems • Digestive problems • Reproductive problems • Nausea, dizziness • Chest pain • Breathing problems • Thinking and memory problems • Damage to the immune system making you more susceptible to the cold and flu
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