STRESS INCREASES IN 2023 OVER 2022
More than one in four (26%) reported they anticipated experiencing more stress at the start of 2023, up from one in five (20%) last year. At the same time, 29% American adults indicated they’d adopt new year’s resolutions related to their mental health, up three percentage points from last year.
The 1st of April marks the beginning of this month-long annual campaign to shine a light on the importance of managing stress and increasing our resilience long before it affects our mental health or causes mental illness.
Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest public health challenges that we’re facing today. Sadly, even though that is the case, society is still not taking its impact seriously enough. We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice versa.
There is no health without mental health and stress can lead to numerous health problems, such as physical problems, like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc., to more serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992. One of the goals is to help remove the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health.
A 2017 study from the APA (American Psychological Association) found the most common sources of stress reported among Americans was the “future of our nation” (63% of respondents mentioned), money (62%), work (61%), political climate (57%), violence/crime (51%).
Stress Awareness month exists to create an open conversation on the impact of stress. Everyone experiences levels of stress, but the impacts of stress can quickly lead to mental health issues.
When stress becomes overwhelming, here are some coping techniques we can keep in mind:
- Recognize when you don’t have control, and let it go.
- Avoid getting anxious about situations that you cannot change.
- Take control of your reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control.
- Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness, and personal growth, and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.
What else can we do for Stress Awareness Month?
1.) Talk about it! Talking about stress and its effects can alleviate the stigma of this “do-it-all” attitude.
2.) Share coping mechanisms.
3.) Look after yourself. We all need to consider more self-care.
The most crucial thing you can do when you are stressed or anxious is to make sure you are continuing to look after yourself. Make time to relax when you need to and learn to say no to requests that are too much for you.
Avoiding excessive substance abuse and alcohol, exercising, and taking care of your body, connecting with others, and taking time to unwind are all good tips to cope with stress.
The Door SwitchTM wants to continue the fight for more awareness and provide additional resources to dispel the myths about mental health issues and solutions for safety issues. We also continue to strive to provide a product that keeps the hospital environment safe. We continue to be committed to better practices and procedures in the mental health community. For information concerning our safety product, please click
here.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).
Sincerely,
The Door SwitchTM
