This Thursday, April 16, is National Stress Awareness Day. Every person, young, old, or somewhere in between, has experienced some level of stress. Though stress may have traditionally been used to to refer to hardships as poverty of grief. As the years have progressed and we have learned more about mental health, we now know that stress can exist for many reasons. Most people can experience stressors daily, and these stressors may stem from family, friends, work, or more. Stress can manifest itself in a number of ways. Physical effects of stress on the body may include but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Low energy
- Insomnia
- Frequent colds and infections, as stress can weaken the immune system
- Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
Stress can have cognitive effects on the individual as well, which can look like any of the following:
- Racing thoughts
- Inability to focus
- Forgetfulness and disorganization
- Lacking the ability to see the positive sign of things or a silver lining
Lastly, stress can still have behavioral effects on the individual, which may include:
- Changes in appetite
- Nail biting, fidgeting and pacing
- Procrastinating and avoid responsibilities
Unfortunately, oftentimes, people may choose to cope with stress in ways that are deemed “easier” but may actually be negative, especially when employed frequently and over a long period of time. One such way may be to use substances as a method of escape. Stress is a key factor in addiction initiation, maintenance, relapse, and treatment failure. It is important, if you think that you or a loved one may be on the road to addiction as a result of stress, to first recognize and accept that what is happening may be an issue. Stress is something that everyone experiences and there are many people who have been in the same position as you. Top of the World Ranch is in operation during the COVID-19 pandemic and is able to follow CDC and national precautions while still delivering the care that you need. Tishanna Dillard, Marketing Operations Specialist
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, give us a call at the Top of the World Ranch in Milan, Illinois. Come join us at our beautiful ranch. Give us a call at (844) 814-8885 or email [email protected].