April - Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month. Our daily business lives can be filled with stress. We might feel overwhelmed with an approaching deadline for our business, or our to-do-list is longer than Rapunzel’s hair, or we just plain need more help.

Feeling stressed, especially in business is not unusual. Everyone experiences it from time to time. The thing about stress is that it is a double-edged sword. A little bit of stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But too much stress can negatively affect your emotional and physical health. The trick is to know how to find a healthy balance for a productive and happy life.

It is a  fact, that occasional, small amounts of stress can be a good thing. It shows that you are working hard, and you care about what you are doing.  If you absolutely never experience stress that means you live a lethargic lifestyle without a whole lot of work involved.

Being too stressed interferes with our ability to think clearly. It is overbearing and counterproductive. If it persists it can lead to physical problems like strokes, IBS. ulcers, diabetes, muscle and joint pain, miscarriages, etc.

HOW TO OBSERVE STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

1. Exercise. When you’re feeling stressed, don’t head for the nearest couch to lie down and watch TV reruns. Instead, do any sort of exercise to get your endorphins pumping. This triggers happy feelings, and lowers the stress hormone, cortisol, which will make you feel more at peace.
2. Natural Supplements: Certain natural elements like omega-3 fatty acids and green tea are very helpful in dealing with stress.
3. Light a Candle: Take a deep breath, dim the lights, and listen to some soothing music (after you’ve exercised) you will find your stress floating away.
4. Reduce caffeine: Caffeine makes us jittery and can lead to stress and anxiety.
5. Laugh with friends: Pick up the phone and make a date with a NAWBO friend. You know she will understand your predicament, and it will give you both a chance to chat and laugh. Having a good time will take your mind off of work.

Wishing you a stress-free 2022!