International Stress Awareness Week 2022

The past years have been a roller coaster ride for all of us. From COVID-19 hitting back at us with more powerful mutations, rising fuel prices, recession, increasing cases of sudden heart attacks, and climate crisis to the Ukraine war, we have all seen a lot. We all have ample reasons to be stressed, anxious, and worried. But is stress good for your health? Does stress solve all your problems? Definitely not. And to create awareness about stress and its ill effects on your body, 7th -11th of November is celebrated as International Stress Awareness Week. Interesting, right? Let us know more about international stress awareness week in this article.

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What is international stress awareness week?

Looking at the growing stress in people for petty things to major issues, the International stress management association (ISMA) created international stress awareness week in 2018. It is celebrated from 7th November to 11th November every year. The international stress awareness week 2022 is an important annual event focusing on stress management. It gives special attention to organising campaigns that can remove the stigma related to stress and mental health issues prevalent in our society. It was originally started to mark November as the stress month and raise awareness about preventing stress. The major highlight of international stress awareness week is 9th November, recognized as mind stress awareness day. This day this year will feature the online global stress and well-being summit.

Stress is a common human emotion. It is normal to get stressed when things don't go how you want them to. Stress doesn't solve any of your problems. Instead, looking for solutions in unfavourable situations is a good idea instead of stressing and disturbing your mental peace. 

What is the theme of international stress awareness week this year?

This year the theme set for the celebration of international stress awareness week by the international stress management association is to work together to build resilience and reduce stress. Following are some of the important questions related to this year's theme that the organisation is planning to deal with:

• How can you provide help to people who face mental health challenges?
• What is the employer's response to stress and mental health issues?
• What is the role of stress management professionals in alleviating stress?
• What is the effect of hybrid well-being and other workplace changes on well-being and levels of resilience?
• How can people suffering from stress or mental health issues ask for advice or support?

What is stress?

When talking about international stress awareness week, it is important to know what stress is. Sometimes, people misdiagnose anxiety or fatigue as stress. Thus, it is essential to inform people about what stress actually is. Stress is an emotion where you feel some kind of physical or emotional tension. Any event, and for that matter, even thought, that makes you nervous, angry, or frustrated can cause you stress. Stress can be your body’s reaction to a certain demand or challenge. Stress is not always bad. Short-lived stress can be positive, like meeting a deadline at your workplace, whereas long-lived stress is always harmful to your health. Thus, stress can be of two types:

• Acute stress: It is a short-lived stress that helps you manage dangerous situations. You might also feel such stress when encountering a new or exciting situation. Every individual has experienced acute stress at some point in their life. Examples of acute stress are when you suddenly slam on the brakes, ski down a steep slope, or argue with your partner.
• Chronic stress: It is a long-lasting stress that arises due to major life issues like money problems, unhappy relations, or workspace issues. If your stress continues for weeks or months, it is chronic. The problem with chronic stress is that you become used to the stress so much that you don’t realise that it is a problem that can affect your health.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

The international stress management organisation understands how important it is to spread awareness for PTSD. Thus, how can we miss discussing post-traumatic stress disorder when we talk about international stress awareness week? According to the national institute of mental health, PTSD is a disorder which develops in people who have experienced a traumatic event which was dangerous, scary, or shocking for them. It is normal to experience some symptoms as part of your reaction to a trauma. However, if you continue experiencing problems for a longer duration, it is described as PTSD. People with PTSD always remain in an alarming, stressful and frightened mode, even if there is no danger around them.

What is the effect of stress on your health?

Your body starts releasing hormones in response to stress. As you already know, hormonal imbalances can lead to several health complications. Hormones also put your brain in an alert mode that causes tension in your muscles and increases your pulse rate. In case of acute stress, these actions can be helpful as it helps you handle the stressful situation. These mechanisms are a way by which your body protects itself from stress. However, in case of chronic stress, your body remains in an alert position even if there is no danger around. Some of the major health issues that can arise due to chronic stress are:

• Heart diseases
• Increased blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Skin issues like eczema and acne
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Problems in the menstrual cycle

How can you know if you have stress that can harm your body?

There are several physical and emotional symptoms which are caused by stress. However, you might not know that these are actually the symptoms of stress. Following are some of the symptoms of stress:

• Being forgetful
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Headache
• Having pain or ache frequently
• Sexual problems
• Lack of energy
• Lack of focus
• Stiff neck or jaw
• Sleeping excessively
• Having trouble sleeping
• Being tired
• Having an upset stomach
• Unintended weight loss
• Unreasonable weight gain
• Increased usage of drugs or alcohol

Why is stress caused?

The causes may vary from person to person. Your stress-triggering factors can be different from other people. Both good and bad challenges in life can give you stress. Some of the common factors that can usually cause stress include:

• First day in a new job
• Getting married
• Taking a divorce
• Getting laid off
• Death of a closed one
• Pregnancy
• Retirement
• Moving from one place to another
• Financial crisis
• Problems at work
• Issues at home
• Serious health illness

How can stress be prevented or managed?

Managing and preventing stress is essential for a better quality of life. Managing stress will also help you deal with the situation in a better manner and will prevent any adverse impact on your body as well. Following are some ways by which you can manage your stress effectively:

• Be active the whole day
• Take control of yourself and your life
• Connect with the people around you or the ones whom you trust
• Keep some ”me time” for yourself despite having a busy day
• Challenge yourself with new goals
• Avoid unhealthy habits and lifestyle
• Help people around you. This will give you internal pleasure.
• Be a smart worker instead of a hard worker.
• Have a positive attitude at all times.
• Accept situations that are out of your control.
• Remove all toxic and negative thoughts and people from your life. 

Takeaway

Stress is a very common emotion. We all experience it in our daily lives. According to a recent survey, four in every ten people across the globe experience regular stress. Stress, depression, and anxiety lead to the loss of 12 billion workdays every year, which accounts for a 1 trillion dollar burden on the global economy every year. Thus, with the increasing case of stress all across the globe, it has become quite essential to come out and talk about stress and mental health. Keeping the same aim in mind, the 7th-11th of November is celebrated as international stress awareness week. Now that you know so much about stress month and stress make sure to spread awareness about stress, help people fight stress, and teach people around you to talk openly about mental health. Sound mental health ensures prosperity at home and workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How is stress awareness promoted?

To promote stress awareness, you can organise several activities that can help relieve stress. Some of the stress awareness day activities that you can organise are:

• Do something creative the whole day
• Be active
• Practise meditation and mindfulness
• Pen your thoughts on a piece of paper
• Do an activity that you enjoy
• Talk to your loved ones
• Listen to your favourite music

2. What are the 5 A’s of stress management?

Stress can be effectively managed by including 5 A’s in your daily life. These include:

• Avoid stress
• Alter stressful situation
• Accept stressful situation
• Adapt to the conditions
• Assert 

3. What exercises are best for stress management?

Being active and doing regular exercise can relieve your stress. Some activities that can help you manage stress are stair climbing, walking, jogging, bicycling, dancing, gardening, yoga, meditation, swimming, and weight lifting.