Define stress: According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), stress is defined as the brain’s response to a demand.
Our Body’s Response to Stress: Each individual responds to stress differently. Some common responses include: digestive issues, headaches, feelings of sadness, feeling lethargic, irritability and difficulty sleeping.
Have you ever noticed that the word stressed spelled backwards spells desserts? Think of the last time you had a really good dessert. You slowed down, savored the flavor and enjoyed it.
In recognition of Mental Health Month, I am encouraging you to add a little dessert to your day as an effort to reduce stress. Not the high caloric type but the type that adds positive life skills to your every day life.
Here are some examples of what you can do:
What comes to mind when you think of taking risks with your health – driving recklessly, or maybe abusing alcohol or illegal drugs? Those behaviors are very risky but many people have less dramatic behaviors that are just as dangerous in the long run. Tobacco use, unbalanced nutrition and a lack of physical activity are some of the key risk factors for the most common causes of death.
The top 10 causes of death include:
Oftentimes the holidays will bring about a certain level of unwanted stress in our lives. If not dealt with in an effective and healthy way this stress and depression can often ruin our holidays and impact our health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support from others can help ward off stress and depression.
Our Behavioral Health Urgent Care is an alternative to Emergency Room visits. We serve people on a walk in basis providing seamless, fast access to basic services.
It is designed for individuals:
• experiencing an elevated level of duress
• having suicidal thoughts
• thinking about self-harming behaviors
• feeling overwhelmed or depressed
• experiencing excessive worry or panic
You will be met with compassionate, trained professionals ready to help.
We have added to our services Walk-in Wednesdays. From 9 am to 4 pm in our La Salle, Ottawa, Canton and Macomb locations you can walk in with no appointment necessary. If you or someone you know needs mental health or substance use support, we are here to help.
North Central Behavioral Health Systems is pleased to announce the latest development in our continued growth in North Central Illinois with the opening of the Morris, Il office.
NCBHS service areas include La Salle, Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Stark, Fulton, McDonough, and now Grundy Counties. NCBHS has 10 site locations and employs 140 staff who serve approximately 10,000 individuals annually, with an ongoing caseload of 3,000 individuals open for treatment at any one point in time.
