OPINION
A sweet reader popped into our office Monday morning, checking to make sure that the scammer who infiltrated her business hadn't caused any issues with her account at the paper.
She said she hoped for a week without stress for me and then changed her mind.
'Stress is OK for us; it motivates us and it pushes us,' she said. 'But distress is not.'
That struck me. It's true, because stress in and of itself is not a negative thing.
However, when we are in distress, it can be hard to meet even our most basic needs.
On Tuesday, when Maria Jones of the Denton Freedom House spoke to the Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club about the reason she was inspired to organize the Pilot Point Health Fair, which is set for July 19, she, too, touched on how being in a distressing situation can cause health issues—physical and mental.
She mentioned a great resource that I felt the need to share: findhelp.com.
At that website, you can find financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help. 'Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, but when that stress becomes long-term or chronic, it can have serious effects on your body,' according to apa.org. Chronic stress can cause muscle tension, chronic headaches, respiratory challenges, cardiovascular damage, cortisol buildup, gastrointestinal trouble and even memory issues, to name a few complications.
If you're experiencing either acute or prolonged periods of stress, as I think a lot of us are these days, the American Psychological Association recommends 'maintaining a healthy social support network, engaging in regular physical exercise,' and 'getting an adequate amount of sleep each night.'
I hope that helps someone find the solution they need to feel more in control of their life.
Abigail Allen is the Editor & Publisher of the Post-Signal. She can be reached at aallen@ postsignal.com.
