Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Fall 2017

6 | Fall 2017 O n the outside, you may look like someone who has it all under control. But if you’re like most folks, stress from your job, your relationships, your finances — your whatever — is simmering just below the surface. “Hiding stress is not the answer,” says Debra Atkinson, M.D., a family medicine provider at Lake Regional Clinic – Camdenton. “Even if you think you have it covered, stress can boil over and damage your emotional and physical well-being. You need to find healthy ways to bring your stress level down.” The toll of stress Stress is likely to strike when deadlines loom, when little annoyances pile up or when big changes — a job loss, di- vorce, illness or death in the family — occur in your life. Common signs of stress include feeling worried, irritable, depressed or unfocused. “If you are stressed out, you may also have physical symptoms, such as headaches, back pain, trouble sleeping, digestive problems, tense muscles and changes in weight,” Dr. Atkinson says. Long-term stress also can lead to more serious health problems. Depres- sion, heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue and obesity are just some of the risks linked to stress. Take control Realistically, almost no one can avoid stress entirely. But each of us can take steps to manage stress and protect our health. Dr. Atkinson says, “When stress strikes, we have to choose: Will we find a healthy way to manage our stress, or will we try to cope with ways that are not so healthy?” Unhealthy cop- ing might include masking stress with alcohol, tobacco, too much or too little food, or some similar activity. Such practices might make us feel better in the short term but overall are likely to make things worse. The healthy method involves build- ing strong, positive habits that help us prevent stress overload. with healthy habits r Debra Atkinson, M.D. Tame A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER can help you find healthy ways to cope with stress. Our providers are accepting new patients. Call 573-348-8385 . Tips to try Here are a few ideas from the American Heart Association, the American Psychological Association and other experts: