Stay Calm and Carry On. Why Lowering Your Stress Matters

Deadlines and demands. Changes and children. Having compassion for yourself and asking for help are key to withstanding times of high pressure, which triggers stress and unhealthy physical reactions within your body. But when should you see a medical professional, and why?

Our patients’ mental health continues to worry the medical team at Oregon Medical Group. Some are seeking help for anxiety and depression – and the combination of both. But our greater worry is that patients who need help are resistant to seeing their provider about what they perceive as emotional issues. Many even overlook physical symptoms like these, putting their long-term health at risk:

·       Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

·       Lack of energy or trouble getting out of bed

·       Change of weight (up or down)

·       Lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy

·       Feeling “flat”

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a persistent basis, we encourage you to get into your clinic for a discussion with your provider. If you haven’t been in for a year, you can even handle this as a check-up, so it’s more likely to be covered by insurance (check with your insurance about this, as coverage varies.)

When you visit us, your provider will check your basic vital signs, including blood pressure and changes in weight, discuss your concerns and refer to your medical history. Together you can come up with a strategy to help manage your health… even when life is overwhelming. We find our patients are surprised to find that they can help reduce their stress levels just by taking control of their health. Here’s a useful run-down of tips from the National Institute of Mental Health.