Stress is More: A BIPOC Perspective
Whack-a-mole stress
Do you remember whack-a mole? It was one of my favorite fair games to play. It was so satisfying hitting those moles faster than they could pop up! While this is fun when it is a game, it becomes less fun when we do this with our real problems.
Perhaps you noticed you were overlooked for a promotion, or you heard a derogatory comment being made in the hallway. It could even be that you’ve been feeling misunderstood, or you’re tired of witnessing racial profiling in the media or news. Or maybe it’s a combination of these on top of regular life stressors. Just like those pesky moles, these stressors will continue to pop up after we’ve pushed them down, until we learn how to properly address them.
Why do I feel so stressed?
Stress is a term we hear all the time yet nobody really talks about why we have stress, so let’s unpack this. The increased heart rate, tension in your shoulders, pit in your stomach, tightness in your jaw - stress, is your body’s way of preparing for a threat or challenge. When you feel like something isn’t right, your body goes into fight/flight/freeze mode in order to address the challenges you are facing.
This is your body’s way of trying to protect you or equip you and can actually be a healthy and helpful thing when the threat or challenge is appropriately addressed or escaped. However, when you experience prolonged stress, your body produces a hormone called cortisol which can negatively impact your sleep, mood, mental health, and overall health. This actually hinders your ability to respond to a challenge or threat adaptively. So when you can’t address your stress, your body’s response becomes unhelpful and keeps you feeling stressed.
So what can you do?
So you’re stressed out for real, now what?
1) First of all, take a moment to notice whether this stress has been helpful or motivating in any kind of way. If it’s been motivating, your stress is doing its job. While it can be uncomfortable, your body is working to help you through a challenge.
2) You’ve established you’ve been stressed out for way too long and you’re overwhelmed. Your body needs a reminder to shut down (or lessen) your stress-response system so it is more manageable. Try taking these steps:
a) Progressive Muscle Relaxation
b) Try taking inventory of the areas of your life that are taking away from your energy reserve as opposed to replenishing it. If this is way off balance, then you may need to return to those things that help you feel more relaxed or supported, i.e. going out with a friend or supportive person (or people!), spending time in nature, doing yoga, singing in the shower, praying, or even making a meal you feel good about.
3) You’ve tried these things and more, and still feel like you can’t function. Try getting connected to a therapist you feel you can trust who can work with you through your specific situation. If you’d like to know more about our team here and the culturally sensitive services we offer, please click here.
About The Author:
Chanae Smith, Registered Psychologist
-Chanae is a wife, a mother, and a Registered Psychologist that enjoys traveling, eating good food, learning, and playing. Chanae works with children and adults to form healthier relationships within the context of their homes, schools, personal relationships and even in the wider society.