Coping With Elevated Levels of Stress

While everyone experiences elevated stress levels every now and then, it’s important to do what you can to protect your mental health. In light of Stress Awareness Month, we’re here to share some tips to help you keep your stress under control.

How Stress Affects Your Mental Health

While it’s normal for everyone to experience elevated levels of stress every now and then, prolonged exposure to your body’s stress response can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Chronic stress can cause you to experience the following mental health issues:

• Anger
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Feelings of anxiety and depression

Building Healthy Coping Techniques

Take a Break From Your Responsibilities

Whether it’s school or work, having a lot of things on your plate can be overwhelming to say the least. When you’re feeling too much pressure, take some time to prioritize what needs to be done now and what can wait until later.

Confide in Someone You Trust

While you may be tempted to withdraw socially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be helpful to talk to people you trust. When you’re feeling over-stressed, reach out to friends and loved ones that you can rely on for emotional support. Being able to speak freely about your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment can prove to be a cathartic process.

Seek Help When You Need It

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important for you to know when it’s time to seek professional help to address your stress levels and how they may be affecting you mentally. Sometimes professional intervention is necessary to help you to feel more relaxed and at ease.

Mental Health Treatment in North Carolina

At Tapestry, our treatment programs are designed to provide our clients with individualized care while acknowledging their unique life experiences. Our staff members are dedicated to understanding and treating our clients as whole people.

Whether you have questions about mental health or how to support a loved one struggling with mental illness, we are here for you. Contact us today by filling out a confidential form or give us a call at (828) 490-4032.