OKLAHOMA CITY – April is National Stress Awareness Month and Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinic providing health and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma, wants to remind the community about the negative effects of stress.
According to the American Institute of Stress, about 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related disorders, ranging from stomach trouble to heart disease. In 2017, three of the most common sources of stress were work, money and political climate.
National Stress Awareness Month is an effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions regarding stress. Long-term stress can lead to a wide range of illnesses, including: headaches, stomach disorders, depression and increased risk of stroke and heart disease. It is important to keep life’s major stressors in check and learn how to cope with them in order to improve health and well-being.
“You may not be able to avoid stress, but you do have the power to choose how you manage it,” Summer Smith said, Behavioral Health Director of OKCIC. “Taking time for yourself is crucial and can set you on a path to a healthier lifestyle.”
The key to achieving a healthy, balanced life is to set aside time for personal relaxation. Here are a few ideas to help relax and unwind:
- Exercise
- Read a book
- Go for a walk or run
- Have a cup of tea
- Play a sport
- Spend time with a friend or loved one
- Meditate
- Do yoga
- OKCIC offers weekly Yoga Stretch and Tai Chi classes for patients in the Wellness Center.
About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to American Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 18,000 patients from over 200 federally recognized tribes every year. American Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please call (405) 948-4900 or visit www.okcic.com.