By Suleiman Tajudeen
… Continued from last week
CITIZENS COMPASS— Preventing stress requires a combination of personal and community actions. Health education helps people understand that stress is normal and manageable. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep strengthen the body’s resilience. Effective time management and financial planning reduce daily pressures. Building strong social support networks and reducing stigma around mental health encourage early help-seeking. Primary health care workers can screen for stress during routine visits, and stress management training in schools and workplaces equips people with coping skills. At the policy level, government action on unemployment, inflation, and insecurity can reduce population-level stress.
Management
The management of stress operates at individual, social, and professional levels. Individually, recognizing triggers, practicing deep breathing and relaxation, engaging in regular physical activity, restructuring negative thoughts, and solving problems in small steps are effective strategies. Limiting alcohol and substance use, setting realistic goals, engaging in hobbies, and practicing mindfulness or prayer also help. Socially, talking to trusted people, joining support groups, and delegating responsibilities reduce the burden. Professionally, counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, are effective for chronic stress and anxiety. Medication may be prescribed when necessary, and referral to psychiatrists or psychologists is indicated for severe or persistent cases. Follow-up and rehabilitation are important for preventing relapse, especially when substance use is involved.
In conclusion, stress is a universal human experience with biological, psychological, and social dimensions. Its causes and expressions change over time and in different contexts, as seen in Nigeria’s history. Unmanaged stress affects every system of the body and mind, making it a significant concern for primary health care. Nurses and health workers play a key role in early detection, education, and management. Prevention focuses on lifestyle changes, social support, and reducing stigma, while management is most effective when it takes a biopsychosocial approach. Simple coping skills, when applied consistently, can prevent stress from progressing to mental illness. In the Nigerian context, understanding and addressing stress is essential for building healthier individuals, families, and communities.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). _Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders_ (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Gureje, O., Lasebikan, V. O., Kola, L., & Makanjuola, V. A. (2006). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being. _British Journal of Psychiatry, 188_(5), 465–471. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.188.5.465
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). _Stress, appraisal, and coping_. Springer Publishing Company.
For enquiries and medical consultations, contact: Dr. Suleiman Tajudeen, CEO and Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos. +234 803 402 4457
