As we recognize Stress Awareness in April it is important to have a deeper understanding of stress and how it can affect our overall well-being.
According to Eliza Hoffman, Integrated Services Specialist at Yellowbrick, “Emerging adults are stressed- out. At Yellowbrick we guide emerging adults from the brink of distress to engagement with eustress , the stress that inspires us to improve our lives and reach our goals. The demands of education, career, and relationships alone cause significant stress on a young person’s body and mind. Add to that more challenges, such as a mental illness, addiction, or harmful behavior, and a young person can reach a disastrous point of distress.”
Eliza further explains, “Yellowbrick provides a foundation built on mindfulness to help a person recognize when they are stressed and how it affects their body and mind. From there, emerging adults develop skills to reduce, manage, and optimize stress in recovery and beyond.”
Stress is how our brain and body respond to a demand or challenge. It can be brought on by the pressures of daily responsibilities, a negative change in life, or a traumatic event, which can also include temporary emotional and physical symptoms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health , there are five key things that everyone should know about stress.
1. Stress affects everyone. Everyone experiences stress at some point, but some cope with it more effectively than others. There are different types of stress, all carrying physical and mental health risks.
2. Not all stress is bad. In a dangerous or life-threatening situation, stress is a signal that prepares the body to face a threat or flee to safety. In a non-dangerous situation, it can be motivation for some people.
3. Prolonged stress can be harmful. Over time, prolonged stress can take its toll on the body through immune, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep, and reproductive issues. Additionally, chronic stress can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
4. Stress can be managed. In a dangerous or life-threatening situation, stress is a signal that prepares the body to face a threat or flee to safety. In a non-dangerous situation, it can be motivation for some people.
5. Help is available. When stress leads to the point of feeling suicidal or overwhelmed, professional help may be needed. Seeking treatment is the first step in learning to cope with chronic stress.
According to the Mayo Clinic , there are a few ways that we can manage and minimize our everyday stress.
While there are many ways to ease added stress and anxiety, sometimes it proves difficult to cope with the added challenges. A professional therapist or counselor may be needed to help identify the sources of stress and to help teach new coping skills.
At Yellowbrick, we recognize and address the unique challenges of the emerging adult population through programs that emphasize multi-specialty evaluation, therapeutic residences, research-based strategies, and life-skills interventions. Our treatment philosophy is guided by research findings that show that enduring success is facilitated by working alongside individuals coping with actual life experiences in “real-time,” with a professional presence supporting the development of skills required to navigate the challenges of life.
Yellowbrick collaborates with adolescents and emerging adults, ages 16-30's, their families and participating professionals toward the development and implementation of a strategic “Life Plan.” An integrative, multi-specialty consultation clarifies strengths, limitations, and risks, and defines motivations, goals and choices.
A mental health condition that’s characterized by intense shifts in mood including both manic and depressive episodes.
People living with Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, experience episodes of depression and sadness that are debilitating to daily life.
Those living with anxiety disorders experience high levels of anxiety and stress that interfere negatively with daily life.
A mental health issue in which a person’s cognitive function is impaired, resulting in symptoms like experiencing challenges with conducting speech, reading and writing, and behavior.
Mental health disorders that negatively affect a person’s behaviors, thought patterns, and function. People diagnosed with these disorders experience challenges with managing relationships and understanding various situations.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that people can develop as a result of experiencing traumatic situations, characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and more.
A mental health condition that is characterized by specific symptoms of forgetfulness and lack of concentration, which makes it challenging to complete necessary tasks.
Mental health conditions that interfere with a person’s eating habits, thought patterns, and behaviors in negative ways.
A mental health disorder diagnosable with the DSM-5 that is characterized by both obsessions and compulsive behaviors.