April is Stress Awareness Month. This is a great time to learn more about stress and its effects on our mental and physical health. Let’s talk about the importance of stress management for the disabled.
Many of us get stressed just thinking about making an appointment to see our doctors, don’t we? However, those visits are also important to our health. In addition, just being able to manage your stress is a big part of keeping ourselves healthy.
Coping with Disability-Related Stress
Whether you live with a disability or are able-bodied, we all deal with stress. Some of us have stress related to our jobs or our home lives. Others may just feel extra pressure from financial situations like debt. Life seems to bring stressful situations to our door, whether we’re prepared or not. That’s why it’s important to find ways to cope.
As much as I may think I’m in control, I’m not. Thanks to my faith, I love to remember that God is the one who gives me strength. My faith helps to keep my emotions in check and prevent me from getting into a long-term depressive episode.
Stress Management Tips for the Disabled
You have plenty of options for stress relief techniques outside of faith and prayer, however. As I continue to look for other techniques to help relieve my stress and anxiety, I have found some other helpful methods that may help you too.
For instance, I recently learned how to do Kundalini yoga. This practice allows me to live in the moment and stop worrying about the things I cannot control. When I do adaptive yoga, I instantly relax, knowing I can handle whatever comes my way.
Here are a few more helpful ideas.
- Deep breathing exercises
- Creating a list of things for which you’re grateful
- Organizing at home and/or work
- Making time for relaxation like a bubble bath or a favorite hobby
- Saying no to things that you don’t really want to do
- Watching a favorite movie or something with positive humor
No matter what practices help me get through difficult times, nothing is more important than getting my check-ups done on time. This way, I can make sure to deal with issues early, which in itself gives me peace.
I encourage you to also make time for your regular check-ups so that you, too, can find some peace of mind.
