Livingston, N.J. (April 01, 2013) – April marks the 21st annual National Stress Awareness Month. A recent American Psychological Association survey found that Millennials (adults aged from 18 to 33 years) have a higher level of stress than the national average. A little bit of stress is good for us, in that it provides energy and keeps us motivated. However, it’s important to keep stress in check. When left to its own devices, stress can lead to or worsen a number of serious health problems, from heart disease to depression and anxiety. Accordingly, GenPsych, PC, provider of top quality outpatient psychiatric and substance abuse services, offers some simple tips on how to reduce stress and warning signs that it may be time to seek professional help.
“In medical terms, stress is the physiological response to a perceived threat,” said Dr. Henry Odunlami, Founder and CEO of GenPsych, PC. “Fear and anxiety are normal and essential feelings in life. Unfortunately, for some people, these responses take on a life of their own and start to disrupt everyday situations. Stress has evolved into a chronic condition with lasting health effects and the ability to weaken the immune system.”
Fortunately, there are a number of things backed up by research that you can do, right now, to lower your stress levels. GenPsych provides the following stress-busters:
Take deep breaths. It’s not a cliché. It actually does slow your heart rate and increases oxygen intake.
Listen to music. This releases dopamine, which results in a good, relaxed feeling.
Work out and stay hydrated. Physical activity and high water intake will keep you feeling renewed and stress free.
Crack open a book. Just six minutes of reading is enough to help you de-stress, the Telegraph reported. The study suggested that reading was linked with a slower heart rate and muscle relaxation.
Grab your phone. There are many smartphone apps available to reduce stress. Popular ones include: Deep Relaxation and StressFree.
Know when it’s time to see a professional. If your stress is becoming or has become chronic, you may pose a danger to yourself or others without even realizing it. Trained professionals in stress management will be able to help pinpoint the cause of your stress and provide insight into how you should deal with it. GenPsych’s staff of counselors and health professionals offer both individual and group counseling that can help you develop and strengthen your stress management skills. It’s time to seek professional help if you experience the following:
Loss of concentration very quickly
Memory loss
Constant worrying
Sinking into depression and feeling alone or even suicidal
Sponsored each year since 1992 by The Health Resource Network, Inc., Stress Awareness Month is a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.
For additional stress reduction tips, visit us on Facebook. To schedule an interview with GenPsych’s stress management specialists or CEO/Founder, please email Kemi Olukoya at: KOlukoya@GenPsych.com.
About GenPsych, P.C.
Founded in 2005, GenPsych is one of New Jersey’s premiere providers of outpatient behavioral health services. GenPsych is dedicated to helping clients regain their emotional and physical health in a safe, supportive environment. With five New Jersey locations in Brick, Bridgewater, Flemington, Lawrenceville and Livingston (one additional location is in Sumter, SC), GenPsych’s team of elite professionals offers a continuum of high quality mental health care and life enhancement services for each client’s specific needs.
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