April is Stress Awareness Month. In 2025, perhaps more than ever before, stress awareness and stress management have become crucial to our quality of life and optimal health. Tariff wars, an unstable economy, rampant crime, natural disasters, political pandemonium, threaten to rob us of our peace and sense of well-being.
To quote one of my favorite songs from Tears For Fears, "shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without!"
I digress a bit here...
It's important to keep in mind that if properly managed, stress does not have to get the best of us; rather it can get the best “from” us. Ready to find out how? Read on.
But before we tackle stress, let’s address what stress is.
According to the World Health Organization, “Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being."
With this in mind, here are 6 timely tips to manage the madness, and keep stress to a minimum.
1. Make an “official appointment” to do a meet and greet with a friend.
Studies show that maintaining strong social ties with friends can improve our health and increase longevity. Get together once a week or once a month to catch up and let your hair down. One of my former college buddies and I get together each month and have lunch at the 2-fer restaurants where we combine a good deal with good conversation. Remember to treat it with importance (like you would a meeting with a client).
2. Change the way you think.
Award-winning motivational speaker, Sporty King, offers the following rule of thumb when dealing with stress: "If you don't like the way things are, change the way you look at them."
3. Join a nearby book club.
Most writers are avid readers. So joining a book club can provide mental stimulation, connection with groovy people, and a much-needed recreational escape.
4. Commune with nature.
Visit a botanical garden, go fishing, have a picnic in the park, sit by a lake and contemplate. Or take the little ones to a ball park. Try it, you might like it!
5. Treat yourself to a deserved day of pampering at a day spa.
Get in a manicure, pedicure, facial, or body massage. You’ll feel rewarded and less stressed. This advice applies to men as well. On a personal note here, since January of this year, I have gotten pedicures on a regular basis, and it's a wonderful way to relax. Trust me.
6. Do a "digital detox."
Step away from your computer. I repeat. Step away from your computer. Living in the digital age means that we are always "connected" and tapped into various forms of communication. Whether it's through smart phones, social media interaction, zoom meetings. etc.
Take some down-time. It's good for your mental health and can translate into greater productivity levels as well.
IN CONCLUSION:
I hope that you apply the above techniques and principles, not just for this month, but as a way of living in times ahead.
Have a great, "peaceful" week ahead.
Thoughts? Any tips you'd like to add?
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