A representative from the Dallas County Health Department highlights the important benefits to managing stress.

Community Health Educator Natalie Peters notes that most people deal with some level of stress throughout life and shares healthy ways of coping by prioritizing time for relaxation, hobbies, and connection with family and friends. She illustrates the dangers of ignoring stress.

“(It) Can really affect your mental health and lead to greater mental health issues, but also it can be a risk factor for heart disease, so it can increase your blood pressure and your blood cholesterol. It’s definitely important to tackle the issue before it grows too much.”

Peters recommends avoiding using drugs or alcohol to deal with stress. She says that they may provide a short term fix, but will eventually lead to additional problems and increased stress over time.