We are all familiar with stress and the things that cause it, but what does stress do to your body and mind? Why is it important to have an entire month raising awareness about something that seems so simple?

These are some of the physical effects that stress can cause:

• Colds, flu, viruses, and other illnesses
• Depression and anxiety
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Heart problems or heart attack
• Insomnia or sleep disruptions
• Irritability and anger
• Overeating
• Pain
• Stomach and gastrointestinal problems
• Substance use
• Trouble concentrating

Surprisingly not all stress is bad, short-term stress can often push us to work harder or more efficiently whereas long-term and chronic stress can cause some of the symptoms listed above. This month we’re going to be decoding stress and sharing tips on how to manage this in effective ways so watch this space.