Stress Awareness Month, observed in April, is a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress. Chronic stress often causes hypertension, which can lead to other serious health issues, such as heart attack or stroke.

Stress Awareness Month reminds us that whether you choose to re-invigorate yourself through reading, jogging, playing with a pet, or laughing with a friend, make sure you continue to tackle your stress head-on! Work demands, financial pressures, family problems, and many other things can cause stress. Luckily, there is a low-cost, fast-acting, and highly effective treatment. It’s called “relaxation,” and the directions are simple: for maximum effectiveness, use as often as needed — so, take time to unwind.