Spoiler Alert: Stress has a lot to do with it Â
Our mental health affects every aspect of our lives including how we deal with stress. It’s one of the ten (or more!) reasons to pay attention to your mental health.
Our mental health affects every aspect of our lives — how we think, how we feel, how we act and how we deal with the stresses in our lives. You may not realize it, but stress also has a lot to do with our attention and memory.
10 reasons why you should pay attention to your mental health
- Poor mental health makes you more vulnerable to stress and physical health problems such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes
- Taking care of your mental health can prevent mental illnesses
- Good mental health helps you have a positive outlook and enjoy life more
- When your mental health is good, it’s easier to cope with stress when it comes up
- You are more creative when your mental health is good and more open to trying new things
- Your relationships are better
- You are more productive at work
- You contribute more to your family and your community when you feel better
- You think more clearly
- Your mood is improved and your self-esteem enhanced when your mental health is good
Stress and mental health
April is Stress Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn more about what stress does to your health. Stress can sneak up on you and cause changes to your body before you realize it. Everyone experiences stress at times, but when the demands of life become overwhelming, your mental health can suffer.
Stress causes muscles to tense and heart rate and breathing rate to increase. In the short term, stress can help you be ready to face a challenge, After the challenge has ended, the body should return to normal. However, when stress lasts too long, your body has a hard time getting back to normal. Attention and memory and the way we deal with our emotions can suffer. Prolonged stress can lead to depression, anxiety and burnout.
Stress Relief Techniques for Different Types of Stress
No single stress reliever works for everyone in every situation. Finding the ones that work best for you may depend on the type of stress you’re feeling. Here’s a guide to help.
| Short-Term Stress: Find a relaxation technique to calm your body quickly | Breathing ExercisesReframing How You Think About a SituationMeditation |
| Longer-Lasting Stress: Use self-care strategies | Regular ExerciseEating a Healthy DietTalking to a therapist |
| Emotional Stress: Find ways to become more resilient | MindfulnessTalking to a friendTalking to a therapistJournaling |
| Burnout: Taking a break – even a short one – can make a big difference | Find ways to make your current job more enjoyableKeep a sense of humorTake time off when you can |
To help you manage stress and improve your mental health, WellWithin is planning activities throughout the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month. We’ll be offering information on all the resources available to GE Appliances employees and their families, educational webinars and sessions on relaxation to name a few. Watch for details about events at your location.