Stress and poor mental health are two of the biggest public health challenges that we are faced with today. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of how deeply these problems affect us. April is National Stress Awareness Month! To bring attention to this issue, we will discuss the negative impacts of stress, as well as ways to manage it. This is very important for human services professionals who work with Benchmarks’ implementation projects. The effects of stress on human services professionals’ overall health can affect their ability to work effectively in their fields if their stress is not addressed. Benchmarks’ implementation staff intentionally discuss stress and the impact it has on County DSS offices’ staff during National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s “Trauma Training for the Child Welfare Professional” (Trauma 101). While performing trauma-informed consultation within the County DSS offices, we remind administrators and workers to be aware of their own stress and to utilize their self-care plan.
Many see mental health and physical health as two separate things, when the reality is that they cannot be separated. These are two parts that come together to make up our overall health. There is no health without mental health, and stress has been proven to cause numerous health problems - from physical problems, like heart, insomnia, digestive issues, and immune system challenges, to serious mental health disorders.
Stress can play a role in many aspects of an individual’s life. Some effects of stress on the body include headaches, heart problems, diabetes, and fatigue. Meanwhile, stress also impacts mood which may look like restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, depression or anxiety. Behaviorally, stress may lead to angry outbursts, drug/alcohol misuse and even social withdrawal. These various effects impact not only the personal lives of those who work in helping fields, but can adversely affect their work lives, affecting productivity, relationships, and overall work satisfaction.
Managing stress is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize the likelihood of worsening any health-related issues. As Benchmarks’ staff guide other helping professionals to manage their stress symptoms, these are some of the stress management strategies we encourage them to explore:
- Getting regular physical activity;
- Practicing relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or massages);
- Keeping a sense of humor;
- Spending time with family and friends; and
- Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music.
Benchmarks’ implementation staff advocate for others we work with to find active ways to manage their stress. Inactive ways to manage stress (i.e., watching television, surfing the internet, or playing video games) may seem relaxing, but they may increase stress over the long term. To fight off symptoms of stress, we encourage others to aim to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet. We encourage everyone to use this month to dive into some self-care! Help encourage others to take time out of their day to relax or do something that they enjoy, even if it is for a short amount of time. The most crucial thing someone can do when stressed or anxious is to take care of oneself.
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