Stress and anxiety tend to work in tandem with one another, and if you are an individual that is prone to anxiety or panic attacks, carrying around excessive amounts of stress only complicates the situation further. Though everyone experiences their own personal struggles, gender minorities, in particular, have a huge burden to bear when it comes to the challenges of gender stereotypes, gender equity, and more in various environments. Indeed, the month of April is stress awareness month, and in today’s blog, your Dallas, TX Community would like to take a deeper look into the root of stress, what contributes to excess stress, and ways you can take matters into your own hands to promote emotional wellness and wellbeing as a woman and gender minority.
The Relationship Between Stress and Anxiety
Stress can be defined as a reaction to a change or challenge. Research has found that many of our gut reactions, instincts, and emotions developed as defense mechanisms to help us protect ourselves in dangerous situations, and stress is one of them. In today’s society, however, stress has a way of becoming more of a hindrance than an aide.
Coupled with stress, anxiety can begin to take over when your needs are not being met. Anxiety is considered a biological reaction that alerts the body that something is not right. When it becomes persistent and overwhelming, it can interfere with everyday life, routine activities, and even make them impossible to address. In the worst of cases, it can develop into a full-blown anxiety disorder.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, women are more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder. Moreover, anxiety as a blanket term can be used to describe any number of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, worry, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. To learn more about how you can manage stress and what your resources may be, contact our FearLess Dallas team today.
Stress as a Component of Emotional Wellness
While it is true that everyone experiences stress, not everyone knows that the key to handling life’s stressors is through practicing regular emotional wellness. Emotional wellness helps individuals adapt to change and difficult times by reducing the present stress, building resilience, strengthening social connections, and paying mind to their basic and unique needs. Whenever you are experiencing heightened stress or anxiety, it can be beneficial to consult your emotional wellness checklist to set yourself up for success in trying times.
Prioritizing Sleep
Oftentimes it can feel like there is so much to do and not enough hours in the day, and many times this is the honest truth. We are only allotted so much time in the day, and the current dialogue encourages us to utilize every waking hour we have. What we should not do, however, is allow our rest time to take a back seat in the process.
By now, you are likely familiar with the importance of sleep and being able to be alert and present during your daily life. That being said, why do we continue to sacrifice sleep in the name of productivity? There is a multitude of reasons and excuses that might make it seem more appealing to prioritize productivity over rest, but there is no debating science. Studies have shown that when you do not get enough sleep, your body functions below its intended capacity. Moreover, failing to get enough sleep can result in a direct impact on your physical health, mental health, and overall emotional well-being. While it may seem impossible to get everything done with what little time we have, you should keep in mind that your health and your body are the most important factors to consider. Give our team a call to learn more today.
Have You Gone Through The Basic Needs Checklist?
Not only is it important that we practice regular emotional well-being, but it is important we have a thorough grasp of what it means to do so. When we get into the groove of work, home life, school, and our many other responsibilities, it can become easy to forget a meal or two or not drink enough water.
If you find yourself in a position of frustration and irritability due to stress, take a moment to stop and ask yourself if you have met your basic needs for the day. For example, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs indicates that our most basic needs that need to be met before any other include physiological needs. These include water, food, shelter, and clothing. You would be surprised what a 10-minute break to drink water or have a snack can do, and though this may not immediately relieve all indications of stress and anxiety, it can make taking on the issue much more manageable.
Understanding How You Process and React to Stress
Another important factor to note is how you, as a unique individual, process and take on stress. Not everyone processes stress and anxiety in the same ways, and attempting to apply a one-size-fits-all solution will inevitably fall short, regardless of your intentions. Fortunately, there are several tools available online to help us determine the best ways we can help ourselves process and endure stress. When in doubt, websites such as youfeellikeshit.com can help you pinpoint what it is that is causing your distress.
Stay Mindful
Finally, it is important you make time for yourself and consider the moment. Mindfulness is the process of purposely bringing your attention to the present-moment experience without judgment. There are multiple benefits of practicing mindfulness, including relieving stress, reducing chronic pain, lowering blood pressure, and more. Ask a member of our team about our favorite mindfulness exercises today.
Give Our Team a Call
When you are ready to take that next step in your FearLess journey, contact FearLess Dallas in Dallas, TX by calling 214-957-2852 to set up your initial Builder assessment today. Our team strives to meet women and gender minorities where they are to help them acquire to the tools and resources needed to live their best lives.