April has been recognized as Stress Awareness month since 1992, but this year it is more important than ever. Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with it can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life. In the last year, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 on many Americans. It has been a significant stressor as seen in the graph below by the American Psychological Association.
Below are some healthy ways that you deal with stress:
- Take care of yourself: eat healthy and get plenty of rest
- Exercise, yoga, stretch and meditation
- Talk to others – have supportive people around
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
- Take a break, take a deep breath
- Listen to music
- Bond with a pet
- Recognize when you need help and ask for it