Stress awareness month is an annually recognized event directing attention towards the cause, effects and ways to manage stress. Starting in 1992 because of a rising stress epidemic, the event was sponsored and established by the Health Resource Network located in the United States, offering resources for those who can’t help themselves. Stress is a naturally occurring event, but knowing how to understand and grow from it is where most can fall short. First, to cope with stress, you have to know what it is.
Stress is a reaction of the body when you come into contact with change or challenging obstacles. High stress can cause irreparable damage to the immune system, enacting effects such as heart disease, memory issues and anxiety according to Mayo Clinic. Learning how to micromanage stress with healthy coping mechanisms can work to mitigate harmful side effects such as those mentioned.
The average person experiences stress around 5.39 times a day, according to the mDot Center. It is important for the human body to maintain a healthy coping mechanism when encountering stress. If you find yourself overcome with stress, you can take deep breaths, go for a walk and try to be active. Exposing yourself to nature is scientifically proven to boost cognitive functions, such as attention control and memory, according to the American Psychological Association.
Nature is a natural stress reliever. Biophilia, a word to describe centuries of reliance on nature, has caused it to act as a natural remedy for stress. Similar to the feeling of comfort from a parent or recharging your battery in a safe space, nature has similar effects on the brain, improving mood. It can be inferred that the urbanization of the world has the opposite effect on the brain.
As humanity progresses, it is natural for inventions to reflect their evolution. One of the many forms of human progression is showing itself through urbanization. Urbanization is used to describe the re-adjust from rural to urban cityscapes, often reflecting denser populations and faster industrialization. The American Psychological Association suggested that urbanization has the opposite effect on mood, often causing attention deficit.
Attention deficit is described as making it harder to focus which can adversely affect stress levels causing them to rise. The Health Resource Organization noticed the rise in stress levels, and brought about Stress awareness month to bring attention to it. HRN works in tandem with health professionals and organizations to release information during the month on how to manage stress. Anyone can participate during the month, free of charge, to raise awareness.
It is important to take time during the month of April to recognize and raise awareness of growing stress levels. Sharing ways you cope with it could be key to improving how others manage their stress.
