Got a headache that just won't go away? Can't sleep? Can't focus? Nauseous? Feeling pain in your muscles...or maybe even your chest?
There are a variety of illnesses, viruses, and conditions that could cause any or all of those symptoms. Or, it could be stress.
Stress is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation." Most of us feel stress every day --- it's a natural response meant to prompt us to handle challenges and even threats in our lives. It's how we respond to stress that determines its impact on our overall well-being.
October is Emotional Wellness Month. This is a great time to take stock of the stress in our lives, to figure out how that stress is affecting us, and to seek ways to not only lower our stress level, but to more effectively manage it.
Stress affects both your body and your mood. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as common signs that stress is taking a toll on you:
Physical
Mental
Feeling one or more of these symptoms can lead to negative reactions such as overeating, angry outbursts, isolating from family and friends, and drug or alcohol abuse.
Positive emotional well-being, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is when people "manage emotions well and have a sense of meaning, purpose, and supportive relationships." Finding ways to strengthen your emotional well-being will have a positive impact on your physical health at the same time.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests the following strategies to improve your emotional well-being:
Build Resilience
Resilience is the quality that allows you to bounce back from difficulty faster. Ways to build resilience include:
Reduce Stress
Be Mindful
For more information on these and other coping strategies, see the NIH Emotional Wellness Toolkit.