SAN ANTONIO — We are right in the middle of National Stress Awareness Month, devoted to bringing attention to the negative impact of stress.
It's a month to practice ways to reduce stress or even recognize it within ourselves, because sometimes we become so used to being stressed 24/7 that it just becomes a way of life. Paul Osincup, author of "The Humor Habit," said the obstacle isn't about keeping our stress levels down.
"It's keeping our capacity higher and maybe our demands lower so that that stress threshold doesn't get as intense," he said.
There are emotional symptoms of stress, like feeling agitated, frustrated, moody and overwhelmed. Physical symptoms of stress include headaches, an upset stomach, chest pain, insomnia and frequent illnesses. And behavioral impacts like changes in appetite or more consumption of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and caffeine.
"If you wake up and your daily ritual is to have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee and then ease into your day, going outside right after that is a really good idea," said Starlite Randall, a clinical social worker. "It like resets a circadian rhythm."
A 2018 study by YouGov looked at over 4,600 people and found 74% felt so stressed that they had become overwhelmed or unable to cope. Additionally, 30% of older people reported never feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope compared to 7% of young adults.
Randall says we should only stress about things we have direct control over.
"You can control what you consume," Randall said. "You can control what you're watching. Control the things you can control, not the outer world of what you can't control. You can control who you're communicating with, who your community of friends are."
Osincup's recommendation? Using humor.
"Any moment we're giving ourselves to laugh or find a little humor in something is a moment that we aren't stressing out."
Randall also says that if you get stressed at work, step away from your desk and find a quiet place to practice mindfulness and relaxing in general.
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