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April is National Stress Awareness Month
Montana VA Health Care System
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April is National Stress Awareness Month
Stess can be managed.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Stress can affect anyone, at work, home or school. We all have stress in our lives as we drive to work, have a deadline we are facing, getting along with our family. When stress is something that you are dealing with for a long time, it can affect your health. To cope with this, you need to take care of yourself and have a support system in place.
- Some symptoms of stress are:
- Physical or emotional tension
- tension and irritability
- fear and anxiety about the future
- difficulty making decisions
- being numb to one's feeling
- loss of interest in normal activities
- loss of appetite
- nightmares and recurring thoughts about an event
- anger
- increased use of drugs and alcohol
- sadness and other symptoms of depression
- feeling powerless
- crying
- sleep problems
- headaches, back pains and stomach problems
trouble concentrating
Ways to take care of yourself are:
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
- Find support, through friends, family, counselor, or clergy member
- Reach out to friends and family
- Eat a health diet
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Keep busy
Here, at VA Montana Health Care, we have Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurse Practitioners and Social Workers to help you recognize stress and help you find ways to manage it better. If you feel that you are not handling stress well, please contact the Behavioral Health Service. They are here to help you. 406-447-6065
