Understanding stress:
April is Stress Awareness Month – and most people are well aware of stress and experience it all year round.
But this month is also an occasion to pause and consider what stress does to your body, mind, and health. It’s also a time to talk about ways to alleviate and manage stress – to remind yourself and others that there is help available.
Finding the right help shouldn’t be another stressor. Research has shown that a tailored approach to therapy – built on the best match between provider and client – is a crucial step toward effective care and better management of stress.
When it comes to finding the right fit in a therapist, it helps to select from a vast and diverse pool. BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform that connects users with licensed providers, has built a network of more than 35,000 therapists from all backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. In 2024, BetterHelp was able to reach more than 900,000 new clients and connect them with the therapist of their preference, based on gender, age group, racial group, LGBTQ+ community, or religious beliefs. Overall, BetterHelp was able to meet over 93% of client preferences
Most importantly, the same study showed that 72% of BetterHelp clients experienced a reduction in symptoms, with 69% achieving reliable improvement and 62% reaching symptom remission.
And one of the top three reasons clients came to BetterHelp searching for a therapist: To help alleviate and manage their stress.
What causes stress?
These days, you can’t pick up your smartphone, watch TV, or listen to the radio without facing reports of political division, natural disasters, public health crises, violence, and economic uncertainty. All of this is piled onto personal stress stemming from work, relationships, health issues, finances, life changes, and/or just the daily demands of living.
Everyone reacts to stress differently. Some experience anxiety or depression, become unable to sleep or eat, or succumb to illness. Stress strains relationships, impacts performance at work, and affects attitude and mindset, which in turn causes more stress – a cycle that seems like it will never let up.
Stress is a part of life. However, understanding the exact causes of stress, and how it manifests in the body and mind, is key to a healthier life.
Money
April is the height of tax season, a time when Americans take stock of personal and business finances. Up to 73% of Americans report that personal finances are their main source of stress.
Often, these chronic stressors can be worsened by a traumatic event, like a job loss, death or illness of a loved one, personal health emergency or accident, natural disaster, or divorce. They can also be spurred by events that are “supposed” to be good things, like the birth of a child, a new house or city or job, or even retirement.
Seemingly small things count too: A big test or work presentation, a blow-out argument with a loved one, or even getting stuck in traffic. Everywhere you turn, something might be waiting to stress you out.
How to handle stress
But you shouldn’t live in fear of stress (after all, that’s stressful too!).
There are small things you can do that make a big difference:
While these self-care tips can be helpful, sometimes the burden is too much to bear alone. When these steps don’t seem to help; when you start to feel stress impacting your health, relationships, or jobs; when you use substances to self-medicate; or when you just feel overwhelmed, it is time to find professional help.
Online therapy makes accessing mental health care more convenient.
Furthermore, studies show that online therapy is as effective as in-person care when it comes to treating depression and anxiety. Telehealth therapy enables you to talk about stress from your home or wherever you feel most comfortable. You can chat anywhere via phone, video, or chat with all the security and privacy you’d expect in an in-person visit.
With BetterHelp, you can conveniently meet with the therapist who is just right for you and your situation. This April, get started with BetterHelp.
Here are some common causes of stress in the U.S.:
Work
This plays into fears about money, but with work, there is an added pressure of performing well. Work-related stress can be even worse for those in certain professions or for those seeking work.
Personal relationships
Interpersonal relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners can be complicated. Even if you don’t have a dysfunctional family or toxic friendships, it can still be a challenge to maintain and nurture healthy relationships.
Health and self-care
With all of life’s demands, it’s easy to lose sight of how to take care of yourself. Neglecting your health and happiness can lead to other health issues and cause added stress.
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Key signs & strategies to manage mental health during Stress Awareness Month
Take care of your body
In addition to keeping the body healthy, exercise and physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and physical tension. Walking, running, swimming, or participating in sports boosts your health and spirit — especially if you do these activities outside in fresh air and sunshine.
Find hobbies
Sometimes the best way to deal with stress is to take your mind off the thing that’s triggering it. Cope with stress by doing things you love, like playing a musical instrument, painting, puzzles, knitting, journaling, or reading.
Be mindful
Meditation and breathing exercises have proven to be very effective mitigators of stress. Reset your mind simply by taking a moment at key times during the day to appreciate the positive things in your life.
Spend time with others
Positive social connections have been shown to improve both mental and physical health and reduce stress. It helps to have people to talk with and lean on during stressful times, and it helps to know you’re not alone.
By Monica Vanover on April 2, 2025
But this month is also an occasion to pause and consider what stress does to your body, mind, and health. It’s also a time to talk about ways to alleviate and manage stress – to remind yourself and others that there is help available.
Finding the right help shouldn’t be another stressor. Research has shown that a tailored approach to therapy – built on the best match between provider and client – is a crucial step toward effective care and better management of stress.
When it comes to finding the right fit in a therapist, it helps to select from a vast and diverse pool. BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform that connects users with licensed providers, has built a network of more than 35,000 therapists from all backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. In 2024, BetterHelp was able to reach more than 900,000 new clients and connect them with the therapist of their preference, based on gender, age group, racial group, LGBTQ+ community, or religious beliefs. Overall, BetterHelp was able to meet over 93% of client preferences
Most importantly, the same study showed that 72% of BetterHelp clients experienced a reduction in symptoms, with 69% achieving reliable improvement and 62% reaching symptom remission.
And one of the top three reasons clients came to BetterHelp searching for a therapist: To help alleviate and manage their stress.
But you shouldn’t live in fear of stress (after all, that’s stressful too!).
There are small things you can do that make a big difference:
Take care of your body
In addition to keeping the body healthy, exercise and physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and physical tension. Walking, running, swimming, or participating in sports boosts your health and spirit — especially if you do these activities outside in fresh air and sunshine.
Find hobbies
Sometimes the best way to deal with stress is to take your mind off the thing that’s triggering it. Cope with stress by doing things you love, like playing a musical instrument, painting, puzzles, knitting, journaling, or reading.
Be mindful
Meditation and breathing exercises have proven to be very effective mitigators of stress. Reset your mind simply by taking a moment at key times during the day to appreciate the positive things in your life.
Spend time with others
Positive social connections have been shown to improve both mental and physical health and reduce stress. It helps to have people to talk with and lean on during stressful times, and it helps to know you’re not alone.
How to handle stress
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