Early Friday morning on June 14, 2024, at Georgia Southern's CPE Center, Jade Humphries started her workshop with a conversation about stress and mental health. Humphries led an impactful presentation that centered on identifying different types of stressors and different components of well-being.
The two-hour, free class introduced an acronym that was new to attendees: C.O.W.S., which stands for Coping Outside of our Wellness Signs. Indicators of C.O.W.S., such as tight shoulders, over- or under-eating, or poor sleep, can send important signals that remind us to focus on the core of what is causing the stress.
Humphries differentiated between various types of stress including appropriate, acute, and chronic stress. Appropriate stress is when we have a reaction that is commensurate with the situation. For example, it is understandable that one might feel stress following a car accident.
Acute stress is a short-term type of stress that may be resolved when one sends off a report that was due, while chronic stress, such as taking care of a loved one who is terminally ill, has no foreseeable solution. Even though we are unable to change our circumstances, there is still hope.
"Sometimes we can't solve the problem, but we can help how depleted we feel," Humphries explained.
Self-care can be as simple as making healthier food choices, regularly moving our bodies, and getting adequate sleep. While meditation and journaling work well for some, boundary setting and taking a mental health day may work for others. The idea is to know what works for you and be sure to follow through to do those things.
Humphries reminded the audience that we are empowered to change the way we think about a situation, in other words, we can recalibrate how we react to things.
"We can control our stress about the stressor," she said.
When situations become too much for us, it may be time to seek professional help. Psychology Today, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the CDC are all reputable websites that can provide help and hope. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available if you or someone you love is in immediate danger.
For more information about the monthly community programs at The CPE Center, located at 10449 US-301, Statesboro, GA 30458, please visit their website.
