{"id":3980,"date":"2024-04-17T09:58:34","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T08:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/?p=3980"},"modified":"2024-04-16T12:39:25","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T11:39:25","slug":"stress-awareness-month-2024-distress-and-how-to-de-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2024\/04\/17\/stress-awareness-month-2024-distress-and-how-to-de-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress Awareness Month 2024: Distress and how to De-Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stress Awareness Month 2024: Distress and How to De-stress<\/h1>\n

It is Stress Awareness Month, learn about distress and how to destress. First emerged in April 1992 in response to a heightening crisis where chronic and severe stress was spreading on a societal scale. Established to encourage open conversations and discussions about how stress can affect us individually. As well as a collective society as well as helping to reduce the stigma surrounding stress.<\/p>\n

Stress and its Causes: Internal and External Factors\u2026<\/em><\/h2>\n

As exam and deadline season commences, stress levels will be at an all-time high amongst our student and staff community. Coursework, exams, and looming deadlines may be the main source of stress for much of our student community. However, for some, there may be other external stressors and factors such as family, relationships, work, and financial problems. Some relevant examples could also include ongoing conflict, job loss, unemployment, and much more.<\/p>\n

Stress can also be caused by internal factors such as feelings of uncertainty, failure, and low self-esteem. Or dealing with chronic health issues and illness. Internal and external stressors often go hand in hand. And sometimes, the nature of the stressor may be even more unique or complex as well.<\/p>\n

An acute level of stress can serve both a useful and essential evolutionary purpose in some circumstances. Experiencing high levels of stress for a long period can have a negative and sometimes even severe impact on an individual\u2019s physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being.<\/p>\n

Recognising Symptoms and Signs of Stress\u2026<\/em><\/h3>\n

Physically, stress can significantly deplete your immunity levels if you experience profound levels of it over a long-term period. This can make you more vulnerable to catching frequent colds, flu, and viruses. Also making you more susceptible to skin complaints, indigestion, high blood pressure and heart problems. Emotionally, stress can also leave you feeling more irritable, anxious, frustrated, and cynical. Cognitive issues such as indecision, forgetfulness and inattention can also arise. Individuals experiencing profound and severe levels of stress may also develop unhealthy behavioural habits such as sleeping too much or too little, becoming isolated and withdrawn, procrastination and an increased intake of alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine. These often emerge as coping mechanisms for individuals looking to curb or distract themselves from the stress they are experiencing, but these habits often only end up exacerbating and worsening their stress and circumstances.<\/p>\n

The #LittleByLittle Campaign\u2026<\/em><\/h4>\n

The Stress Management Society reported this year that 79% of adults experience stress at least once within a month and that annually 74% have felt unable to cope with the stress they are experiencing or extremely overwhelmed. This year, they have launched the #LittleByLittle campaign which promotes the significance of making small and feasible changes within our daily routines and lives to effectively reduce the negative effects of stress. Stress often primarily emerges from feelings of powerlessness over one\u2019s circumstances. Developing healthy and effective, manageable habits and making small positive changes may not completely erase the stress an individual is experiencing, but it can help them to feel more in control and develop a stronger sense of resilience and optimism in difficult times.<\/p>\n

Some of the small habits the Stress Management Society recommend adapting to combat stress as part of their #LittleByLittle campaign are\u2026<\/p>\n