This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Kevin Griggs about everyday strategies to help manage stress. Dr. Griggs is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and a family medicine physician at MUSC in Columbia.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Stress can take a toll on our health and our well-being. Doctor Kevin Griggs is here to talk about practical and effective ways to manage stress. Doctor Griggs is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and a family medicine physician at MUSC in Columbia. Doctor Griggs, we all know instinctively that stress can be bad for our health. But tell us about the potential impact to our physical health and mental health from frequent or chronic stress.
Dr. Griggs: If stress goes unmanaged, it can lead to some serious problems. It can raise your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure. It can weaken your immune system. It can also cause digestive issues, disrupt your sleep. It can increase the chances of anxiety, depression, and even burnout. Some people might turn to unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking, overeating. And over time, it can affect your memory. It can affect your focus, and it can really affect how long you live. When that stress builds up that much, it really needs attention.
Conner: Well, what stress management strategies can really help us day in and day out.
Dr. Griggs: Well, there are several great ways to manage stress. Getting regular exercise really helps a lot. Even just walking makes a big difference. Deep breathing or meditation can help calm your mind. Prioritizing good sleep, eating balanced meals, staying connected with friends and family also makes a really big difference. It's important to manage your time well, to limit things like caffeine, alcohol, even smoking can affect us. And if things get bad, don't ever hesitate to reach out for professional support if you need it.
Conner: What can we do just in everyday life and in our routines to incorporate these strategies that you mentioned so that we're really ready when stress happens?
Dr. Griggs: Well, when you're feeling overwhelmed, small daily habits can really help. Start your morning with a few minutes of deep breathing, gentle stretching, things just to help you relax before you even get your day started. Taking short breaks during the day to help clear your head. Just stepping outside or listening to music can reset your mood. Sticking to a regular bedtime and even trying to keep healthy snacks around to avoid energy crashes, saying no when you need to be able to say no. Staying in touch with someone that you trust or ending your day with something positive, just like thinking of what you're grateful for. All these things can help bring things back into balance.
Conner: And Doctor Griggs, when might it be time to reach out to your health care provider, if you're overwhelmed with stress?
Dr. Griggs: Good time to talk to your provider is if stress is starting to affect your day to day life. Whether it's your sleep, your mood, your appetite, or even your relationships. The provider can help figure out if there's an underlying issue and offer you support, whether it's counseling, stress management tools, or sometimes even medication. They can also connect you with mental health professionals if need be, and help to come up with a plan that helps fit your lifestyle. You don't have to wait until things start getting to be really bad. That's when you need to reach out to your regular provider so they can help you stay well, not just wait until the illness pops up.
Conner: Doctor Griggs, thanks for this information about stress management.
Dr. Griggs: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
