Stress and the Importance of Self-Care

How Does Stress Feel?

Learning how your body reacts when you become stressed and looking for those signs in the future can help reduce the physical effects.

Here are some common signs of stress:

• Feeling angry, irritable or easily frustrated
• Trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time
• Losing your temper with others
• Headaches or other unexplained aches and pains
• Changes in appetites or eating habits
• Getting colds more than usual
• Fighting with family and friends
• Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• Feeling sad or moody
• Feeling nervous or anxious
• Feeling that you can’t handle life’s challenges
• Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities

Not all stress is bad.

Stress can rev you up and give you more energy to handle a situation.

That’s the way your body will make sure you come out ok. Stress is a normal part of life, especially when you are going through lots of changes or aren’t sure how things will turn out.

Stress is a bad thing when you feel it all the time. This means that your body is working extra hard

If you are having any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you seek help.

Importance of self-care (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

• Talk with somebody
• Avoid drugs and/or alcohol
• Practice good sleep habits. Do your best to get enough sleep. Avoid staying in bed when you are not sleeping
• Get outside or in nature for 30 minutes each day
• Make time for things you enjoy
• Exercise every day
• Practice relaxation
• Track anxiety and depressive symptoms