April is Stress Awareness Month: Understanding Stress and Learning to Let Go
April is recognized as Stress Awareness Month—a time to pause and reflect on something that quietly shapes all of our lives. Stress is not always loud. Sometimes, it shows up as a tight chest in the morning. Sometimes, it feels like a constant pressure to keep going. Sometimes, it is simply the inability to rest, even when everything seems “fine.” For many of us, stress is not an occasional visitor. It is a lifelong companion. What Is Stress? Stress is the body’s natural response to demands, challenges, or changes. It is how we react when something requires our attention, energy, or action. In small amounts, stress can help us stay alert, focused, and motivated. But when it becomes constant, overwhelming, or unmanageable, it begins to affect our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. What Causes Stress in Daily Life? Stress can come from many places, some visible, some hidden. Major life changes (moving, loss, transitions) ...
