April is Stress Awareness Month, a national initiative health care providers set to educate the public on understanding good and bad stress, ways to treat and address different types of stress, as well as the mental, emotional and physical impacts it has. (Photo courtesy of Flickr)

By JACKIE JAHFETSON

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — With the dawn of April comes a new set of challenges whether it’s unemployment, isolation or the unknown of what’s to come for the world, these thoughts can trigger stress and can have negative effects on mental, physical and emotional health.

That’s why every April, Stress Awareness Month takes place nationally to heighten public awareness about the impacts stress has and the best way to combat chronic stress, said Dr. Kristyn Gregory, DO, medical director of behavioral health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

But not all stress is bad; some stress is necessary, Gregory said.

“Believe it or not, stress can serve a useful purpose. It’s a signal to the brain and body when there is a perceived threat in the environment and can help us protect ourselves with the ‘fight or flight’ response,î” Gregory said. “Chronic stress, however, can be a catalyst for depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Stress is considered beneficial when it provides a burst of energy that can heighten awareness, lock memories and be a motivator to get things done more efficiently. Negative stress, on the other hand, is usually long-lasting, less manageable and decreases performance.î”

What causes good and bad stress, then? The stress response is a signal to the brain and body, helping a person identify psychological and physiological issues. Those stressors, or stimuli, lead to good and bad stress which can be everyday experiences such as work and family or larger life changes such as the birth of a child, marriage, loss of employment and illness, Gregory explained.

Negative impacts of stress can lead to gastrointestinal issues, induced depression, anxiety, poor heart health and weight gain. For Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes individuals, stress can raise blood sugar levels, activating fat cells and increasing blood pressure, according to the American Diabetes Association. Worsened diabetes cases could contribute to insulin resistance which makes it more difficult for the pancreas to secrete the insulin hormone.

There are three primary forms of stress: acute, chronic and eustress. Acute stress often occurs after a traumatic event such as a serious injury or sudden death, leading to an emotional detachment and unhealthy coping mechanisms including alcohol and drug use. If this type of stress persists longer than a month, it can turn into post-traumatic stress disorder that could last for years, Gregory noted. Chronic stress is a prolonged state that happens when a person is exposed to a recurring stressor such as a stressful job or relationship, she said, adding that this can be long-lasting and less manageable and could lead to more serious conditions like insomnia, high blood pressure and anxiety.

Good stress, or eustress, can provide a burst of energy that alerts awareness and it’s a source of encouragement when people are faced with adversity, Gregory continued. Eustress can also motivate people to live their lives more efficiently, she added.

“Identifying triggers for stress is the best means of managing the brain and body’s response. However, sometimes those stressors are unavoidable, so the most effective means of addressing it is to find healthy coping mechanisms,î” she said.

However, in order for any individual to manage stress, there needs to be a deeper understanding of the cause and what symptoms or behaviors are involved as a result, she said. It can “manifest itself in ways that impact our thinking, behavior and emotions,” î she explained, noting, ways to treat stress include meditation and relaxation training, exercise, sleep, a healthy diet and reduced caffeine intake.

Other ways to address chronic stress include cognitive restructuring — or training the brain to replace negative thoughts with positive ones — and talk therapy, she said. In some cases, medication may need to be prescribed. For those experiencing chronic stress, Gregory said they should consult their primary care doctor or a mental health professional for advice on how to proceed with treatment.

The main goal to manage stress is to set realistic goals by adopting a healthier lifestyle, Gregory noted, adding, it’s a continued process that requires full commitment.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is jjahfetson@miningjournal.net.