Managing Stress During Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month, and if you’re like many Americans, you’ve likely been feeling a bit on-edge lately. Between inflation, a near-constant barrage of negative news, social media, and societal pressure, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

When stress isn’t managed, it can lead to serious health concerns. According to a study by Harvard, elevated stress levels have been linked to heart disease, elevated blood pressure, skin conditions, infertility, and more.

As a personal injury law firm, the Hughes & Coleman team understands how stress can impact every aspect of your life, especially for injury victims. The immediate aftermath of a car wreck or big truck accident can be traumatic, and the following weeks and months can sometimes be even worse. As you determine the extent of your injuries and medical bills begin piling up, you may start to feel overwhelmed. This feeling can be compounded if you’re unable to work or provide for your family. If you’re suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression, either as a result of an injury or due to other factors, our team has coping skills that can help.

Talk it Through

The first step to coping with stress is addressing the issue. Having a trusted friend or family member you can speak openly with about your anxieties and fears can help alleviate your stress.

Acknowledging the problem, talking it through, and recognizing patterns or stressors in your life can help you create a plan to work through them. Having an outsider’s perspective to your stress can also help you reframe your mindset and see issues in a different light. They may even be able to provide solutions or resources you aren’t aware of.

Find Your Coping Mechanism

Coping mechanisms can be tailored to fit your preferences and needs. Regular exercise is proven to improve overall mood and wellbeing and is a great coping mechanism for stress. You don’t have to run a marathon to eliminate your stress, either; a brisk walk outdoors or going for a swim could improve your outlook dramatically.

For those suffering from injuries, this is easier said than done. Finding an exercise that meets your needs and doesn’t make your injury worse can be difficult. Consult with your primary care physician to see what physical activity is suitable for you.

Finding a hobby can also decrease your stress levels. Whether you have an interest in art, cooking, journaling, gaming, or something else entirely, having an outlet for your stressors can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health. Finding your coping mechanism may take some experimentation – keep trying until you find something that suits you!

Practice Self-Care

Taking care of yourself, especially when your mind is in turmoil, is never a selfish act. Self-care is critical for our health and can take on many forms. For our injured clients, we encourage seeking the medical care they need. This includes following the treatment plan laid out by their health care provider and doing whatever is necessary to get back on track to feeling better. Healing the physical wounds caused by an accident is often the first step to addressing any resulting mental trauma.

Consulting with your doctor or health care provider can also help to determine if you should seek further help for any stress you’re experiencing. A referral to a therapist or psychologist may provide further insight to decreasing your stress levels.

For those who are caretakers or providers, self-care may seem selfish. However, in order to show up for those who need you and be the best version of yourself, you also need to take your needs into consideration.

Stress is an unavoidable part of life; however, when the source of your stress is an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, coping skills may only help so much. If you’ve been harmed by someone else’s actions, it may be time to consult an attorney. Our team at Hughes & Coleman works on a contingent fee, which means we only get paid if we obtain compensation for you. There are no upfront costs or financial obligations when hiring us, so you won’t have to worry about the added stress of affording an attorney to have us work on your case. We’ve worked with thousands of individuals to help alleviate the stress of negotiating with insurance companies and managing medical bills. If you need a personal injury attorney, Get Hughes & Coleman and get it done! Call 800-800-4600 for a free consultation.