For many African-Americans, excessive, long-term

stress is often a major contributing factor in the

development or exacerbation of many serious health

conditions and illnesses such as anxiety, depression,

high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes,

ulcers, and infertility.
No matter how much they earn or where they live,

stress is a burden that seems to weigh down far too

many African Americans. The hazardous level of

stress faced by African Americans is keeping their

bodies constantly on edge causing their health and

mental wellness to be at risk. This Black History Month,

wellness advocates, Mental Health America of Greater

Houston and the Houston Wellness Association are

encouraging African Americans to take better care of

their health by managing their stress—in their personal

lives and at work.

No matter how much they earn or where they live, stress is a burden that seems to weigh down far too many African Americans. The hazardous level of stress faced by African Americans is keeping their bodies constantly on edge causing their health and mental wellness to be at risk.  This Black History Month, wellness advocates, Mental Health America of Greater Houston and the Houston Wellness Association are encouraging African Americans to take better care of their health by managing their stress—in their personal lives and at work. 

“Stress is a normal response and the body’s way of protecting you,” said Betsy Schwartz, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston. “When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert.”

According to Schwartz, not all stress is harmful to your health.  A little stress motivates and helps you to meet challenges, but prolonged stress can stop being helpful and can start causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways and its symptoms vary from person to person. Common symptoms often reported by those experiencing chronic stress include trouble sleeping, muscle tension, headache, fatigue, nervousness, worry, memory and concentration problems, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, changes in eating habits including overeating, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and mood changes. Many people under stress also have a greater tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive use or abuse of alcohol and drugs and cigarette smoking.

For many African Americans, excessive, long-term stress is often a major contributing factor in the development or exacerbation of many serious health conditions and illnesses such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, ulcers, and infertility.

By learning to identify when you are under stress, what is stressing you, and different ways of coping with stress can greatly improve both your mental and physical wellbeing. A doctor, mental health professional or, in some cases, an employee wellness program, can help African Americans and all people manage their levels of stress and the symptoms associated with stress.

Treating your body well and learning how to manage the symptoms of stress, changing your attitude and your lifestyle can help African Americans to have healthier live. Here are some simple tips to consider:

Tips for Managing Stress

• Be realistic and don’t take on more than you can handle.

·         Focus on what you can control, not on what you can’t.

·        Work on a financial plan and include the family in the management of the plan.

• Shed the “superman / superwoman” urge and ask for help when you need it.
• Pray or meditate and set aside some “quiet” time.
• Exercise and increase physical activity as it benefits the body and mind.
• Develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, adequate rest and a balance of work and play.
• Share your feelings and don’t try to cope alone.

It is estimated that Houston is home to nearly 27,000 African American-owned businesses, many of which are small businesses. The effect of chronic stress in these and other businesses is causing a shift in the workplace culture and wellness attitudes of employers and workers.

“Many larger companies offer employee wellness programs and strategies that can help African Americans and all employees reduce personal and work-related stress, increase productivity, boost morale and vitality, reduce absenteeism, and control preventable healthcare costs within a business,” said Jonathan Lack, executive director of the Houston Wellness Association.

“Stress in the workplace is of great concern for many small business owners,” said Schwartz. “In a small business, even a few sick workers can disrupt the flow of the workplace and bring the operation to a standstill.”

Schwartz notes that while it may prove a bit more challenging to institute a comprehensive wellness program in some smaller businesses, it is not impossible or unrealistic to use wellness strategies to promote better health and wellbeing.

Lack and Schwartz both agree there are many effective strategies that managers and employers can implement to reduce workplace stress such as:

• Providing managers and workers information on stress, depression and other workplace wellness issues and area resources available to them.
• Encouraging managers to have an understanding attitude and to be proactive by looking for signs of stress among their staff.
• Improving communication with employees giving them opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs.
• Praising good work performance.

To lower job-related stress employees should:

• Try to leave earlier to get to work.
• Prioritize tasks.
• Break projects into small steps.
• Plan regular breaks to sit back and clear your mind.
• Create a balanced schedule and try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities, daily responsibilities and downtime.
• Don’t over-commit yourself.

Mental Health America of Greater Houston offers counseling and therapy to individuals and families having trouble coping with personal or work-related stress and who are uninsured, underinsured or unable to afford care at no cost through its Pro Bono Counseling Program. The organization is also working on ways to create access to workplace wellness programs for businesses without a program. For more information, contact us by phone at 713-522-5161, by email at probono@mhahouston.org.  Visit www.mhahouston.org.         

The Houston Wellness Association (HWA) works to advance the health and well-being of our community and the economic vitality of our wellness sector. The organization contributes to worksite wellness programs for corporations, small businesses and uninsured companies; enhancing the development of a vibrant wellness business sector. On February 23rd, HWA will honor Houston’s heath and wellness legends, Bernard Harris, M.D.; Karen Jackson; Zeb Poindexter, Jr., D.D.S.; Melba Swafford, M.D.; Romanuel Washington, D.C. and The Honorable Late Congressman Mickey Leland at their Salute to Black History Month Luncheon. For information and to attend the event, contact us by phone at 713-357-9516 or by email at info@houstonwellness.org. Visit www.HoustonWellness.org.