Beating Tax-Season Stress

It’s more than a coincidence that the month of April, and the accompanying financial hysteria produced by tax season, has been designated as National Stress Awareness Month.

The key to getting through this angst-ridden time – or any stressful period -- is to recognize the symptoms of unbridled stress, understand your triggers and learn simple techniques to help alleviate the problem says Curtis Reisinger, PhD, Director of the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s EAP Services. And, he says, the best way to tackle stress is through awareness.

“Everyone is hard-wired to experience stress at some point during the day,” said Dr. Reisinger. “Short-term stress is generally not a big deal or anything to worry about, since stress is simply the body getting ready for greater energy expenditure. After any threat passes or the need to work quickly ends, most people return to a more relaxed or calm state.”

However, chronic moderate-to-high levels of stress force the body to adapt to high levels of energy demands.

“Most of the time, the adaptation results in decreased energy availability, which translates into feelings of exhaustion, depression, fatigue or ‘burnout,” he said.

“In addition, chronic stress is associated with a variety of immune disorders, heart conditions, narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis), premature aging and numerous other disorders, particularly those with no clear-cut cause.”

Dr. Reisinger urges people to be on the look-out for the physical signs of stress, which may include increased heart and breathing rates, dry mouth, upset stomach, cold hands/feet and sweating.

“Moderate to strong-but-brief stress is associated with the mind ‘going blank,’ irritability, tunnel vision, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, and similar physical ills,” he said. “ When left uncontrolled, chronic moderate to severe stress can lead to flare-ups of inflammatory illnesses, such as arthritis and weakened immune functioning.”

To fight back against the debilitating physical and mental manifestations of stress, Dr. Reisinger said that stress management is largely personal and is best geared to one’s particular circumstances.

“As can be seen, the cause of stress are quite varied, but generally associated with our reactions to those around us and our living environment.”

People hoping to reduce their stress levels might wish to start an exercise program (check with your physician first) or meditate. But sometimes, simple solutions don’t work and it’s time to seek professional help.

“When your doctor tells you that you need to learn to relax more and your cannot or don’t know how to accomplish that, a consultation is in order, “said Dr. Reisinger. “If you feel more tired when you wake up than when you go to sleep or when you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep, you should move ahead and speak to someone.

“When all the self-help suggestions aren’t doing the trick -- yoga, Reiki, mindfulness, exercise, etc.—it’s time to ask for a behavioral health consultation,” he said. “It’s also important to remember that you are not alone and there are professionals who are specially trained to help you lead a more peaceful life.”