Stress Management

What is Stress?

Stress is a mental or emotional strain on your body.

It's normal to feel stressed sometimes. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress is how our brain and body respond to any demand. Everyone experiences stress, and not all stress is bad, but it's important to know how to cope with stress so it does not harm your health.

Stress can stem from many different sources including work and school, as well as family and other relationships. It can also be caused by sudden negative changes. 

When you experience stress for an extended period of time, it can affect your immune, digestive, sleep and reproductive systems. Signs of stress can be emotional and physical, and can include:

• headaches
• upset stomach
• insomnia
• feeling bad about yourself
• easily agitated, frustrated and moody
• frequent colds and infections
• racing thoughts
• inability to focus
• constant worrying
• poor judgment
• and more.

If you are concerned about your stress level, contact your doctor and ask for ways you can be helped in managing your stress.