April is Stress Awareness Month and we are taking the opportunity to highlight the impact of stress on mental health, and some practical ways we can reduce our stress. Watch this video and learn more!

What is Stress?

Stress is an automatic, instinctual response by the body and brain to help you respond to any demand, commonly called a stressor. The brain is triggered to release hormones that increase some bodily systems (circulatory) and repress others (immune, digestion) to enhance your ability to respond successfully. Stress is a normal and affects everyone. Not all stress is bad, but long-term stress has a harmful impact on your physical and mental health.

How can we reduce Stress?

As the old adage goes, “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, and this is especially true if you’re trying to avoid stress and the resulting anxiety! National Healthcare Decisions Day, which takes place on April 16th, reminds us that a simple way to reduce stress is to plan ahead!

How can advanced care planning reduce your stress and improve your mental wellness?

• Quiet the fears and thoughts that uncertainty brings by having action steps in order

• Provide intentional direction to your support team when things are going well for how to help you when they are not

• Give you a sense of control and preparedness

For additional information and to read the full article, please visit NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness | Virginia.