April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to learn about how stress affects our health. Everyone experiences some level of stress, which refers to how the body and brain respond to demands and challenges. Stress can be positive or negative. However, left unchecked, prolonged stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and other long-term health problems.
Stress can cause the following signs and symptoms:
n Feelings of fear, worry, sadness, or frustration;
n Changes in appetite, energy, and interests;
n Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, and making decisions; or
n Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, skin rashes, and stomach problems.
Workplace stress can also lead to burnout, which is occupational stress that has not been successfully managed. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or having negative feelings related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy (see who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offer the following tips for coping with stress:
n Exercise regularly. Walking can improve your mood and health.
n Try relaxing activities, such as meditation, music, or reading.
n Stay connected with family and friends. Set aside leisure time.
n Set goals and priorities and be aware when you are taking on too much.
Employees who feel stressed should seek assistance from the Employee Assistance Program — a free, voluntary, and confidential service to help USPS® employees overcome challenges affecting their physical and mental health, family life, and job performance — or a health care professional (see blue.usps.gov/hr/pay-benefits/benefits/employee-assistance-program.htm).
Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will make you and those you care about more resilient. Take care of yourself one small way each day.
This information does not constitute medical advice, and individuals should seek consultation with their own health care professionals. For more information about stress awareness, visit the following resources:
n NIH at nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet/20-mh-8125-imsostressedout_1.pdf.
n The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping.
n The USPS Wellness page on LiteBlue at liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/health-wellness/welcome.htm.
— Benefits and Wellness,
Human Resources, 4-7-22
