Why Avoiding Difficult Conversations Can Harm Your Mental Health
The Hidden Costs of Not Speaking Up: Stress and Mental Health
As Stress Awareness Month comes to an end, I want to thank you for your continued readership and support. My key takeaway for this month is the importance of having difficult conversations. As social beings, humans are wired for connection and communication, but engaging in tough talks can be overwhelming and cause anxiety. Nevertheless, avoiding these conversations can lead to negative health outcomes and misunderstandings. Research shows that suppressing emotions can even result in chronic illness and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases and other health issues.
Recently, during a conversation with my accountability partner, I realized that staying silent during important conversations only prevents me from expressing my feelings and prevents the other party from understanding my perspective. Speaking up takes courage, but the potential benefits are immense. It allows us to express ourselves, grow, and understand others.
To help reduce the impact of stress on your life, I came across a valuable resource during my research on this topic. Dr. Gabor Mate, a renowned physician and speaker, has released a video titled "How to Reset Your Body from Chronic Stress." In this video, he explains the link between suppressing emotions and chronic illness and offers valuable insights on how to reduce the impact of stress on your life.
As we close out Stress Awareness Month, I encourage you to take the time to watch Dr. Mate's video and learn from the knowledge shared. Remember, knowledge is power, and understanding the causes and effects of stress enables you to take steps towards reducing its impact on your life.
If you're interested in continuing your journey towards mental health awareness, subscribe to my channel for exclusive access to my 30-day mental health awareness series, with daily posts throughout May.
Precious Obeahon.