After a year into the pandemic, stress is a much needed awareness in April as it’s a month of Stress Awareness.  How appropriate it is to re-evaluate our stress as we try to move away from the panicky self- isolating pandemic mode to re-emerging back into society and relearn to function normally within our community.

We no longer walk out our front door without our face masks.  We dodge from people on the streets.  We constantly sanitize our hands whenever we enter a grocery store.  When we forget our masks or hand sanitizers, we become anxious, panic, and stressed out over how we can leave our car and face any strangers.  Stress, unfortunately, has taken over some of our lives.

Stress by definition is any type of change that causes a physical, emotional, and psychological strain.  There are two types of stress: Good or positive stress and bad or negative stress.

Good or positive stress is called Eustress, in which it is a type of stress that makes us feel good.  Our heart rate increases but there is no threat or fear. We feel this when we are about to go on a first date or about to get married or going in for an interview, or compete, etc.  This type of good stress is beneficial, motivating, and even life-saving at times.

Bad stress or negative stress is called distress where it causes us not to feel our normal self.  We start to feel bad and even sick to our stomach.  Our pulse races, we break out into a sweat, our face starts to fume up,  we develop short of breath, and even feel dizzy or nauseous, which may lead to anxiety and insomnia.  This type of bad stress loses productivity, causes health problems and even exhaustion.

Now, think about which type of stress seems to be more prominent in your life.  Do you experience more good or bad stress?  That’s great if it’s good stress but not so good when it’s more bad stress, which can lead to an array of symptoms.  Going to bed wide awake thinking, worrying, and feeling anxious.  Eventually, leading to insomnia, panic attacks, depression, muscles tensions, digestive problems to name a few.  Don’t let these symptoms get out of hand.  When symptoms are no longer manageable or impair your daily living, then it’s time to seek professional help.

Dr. Melody Wong is Medical Director of Bay Area Natural Medicine Center and founder of Abundant Vitamins (online professional grade supplement website).  She’s been in practice for 20 years specializing in IBD (colitis & crohn’s), anxiety / depression / insomnia, eczema, and women’s health.   Refer to www.banmc.com and www.abundantvitamins.com  for more info.