In This Article:
- Nearly everyone experiences stress, and some of it can even be healthy. But when you are putting too much pressure on your mind and body, it can lead to more serious problems over time.
- To manage stress, get plenty of exercise, try a relaxing activity like meditation, set goals for yourself and stay connected with friends and family.
- Be sure you recognize the signs when you’re feeling stressed, like difficulty sleeping, substance use or irritability. Make sure to talk to your doctor if these symptoms are interfering with your daily life.
Your management team has somehow managed to develop a culture throughout the Arizona Burn Center that is something I wanted to compliment you for … It is one that treats the patient as a special person. Whether it was the nursing staff, the physical therapists or the physicians, they all shared the same understanding – the importance of the patient and how to deliver the best possible overall care.—
Here are some helpful ways to manage stress from the National Institute of Mental Health:
- Recognize the signs of your body’s response to stress, including difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, irritability, feeling depressed, and having low energy. Keep a journal of situations that caused stress to identify patterns and triggers.
- Talk to Your Doctor. Ongoing stress can lead to anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. Make an appointment with Valleywise Health to monitor existing or new health problems.
- Get Regular Exercise. Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day can help boost your mood and reduce stress.
- Try a Relaxing Activity. Relaxation looks different for everyone. Schedule time each week for activities that make you happy and relieve stress, such as meditation, being in nature, reading a book, or joining a group of people with similar backgrounds and interests.
- Set Goals and Priorities. Decide what must get done, what can wait, and learn to say no to new tasks if they are creating too much stress. Note what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you didn’t do.
- Stay Connected with people who can provide emotional and other support. To reduce stress, ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations.
