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10/22/2024

Column: How to Be Well: Identify What Color You Are

This month, the Coalition had the pleasure of hosting Laura McGladrey. Laura is an expert in burnout, stress injury, and resilience. Her visit couldn’t have come at a better time—fall always reminds me that life has seasons, and stress moves in cycles too.

Stress is a natural part of life—it’s as inevitable as the falling leaves (and snow that’s eventually coming). And just like snow isn’t inherently bad, neither is stress. A little stress gives us that needed push to take action and get things done.

But if you’re anything like me, when leaves (or that impending snow I’m trying not to think about) start piling up, they can feel way too overwhelming to deal with. Stress is the same. When it builds up, it can really wreak havoc on our lives, relationships, and decision-making abilities.

It’s easy for it to sneak up on us though. The Responder Alliance, which Laura founded, has a helpful tool to prevent this—the Stress Continuum. It teaches us how to recognize where we are on a color scale. The continuum moves through stages: it starts with “green,” where stress is motivating and manageable, and goes through “yellow,” where things feel tense but under control, before hitting “orange” and then “red,” where stress becomes disruptive and overwhelming. Spending too long in the red zone can lead to stress injuries like burnout or mental health issues.

The goal is to catch those yellow zone signs early—like feeling more irritable or struggling to sleep—so we can make changes before we reach the full-on “I can’t even” red stage.

This isn’t about living a stress-free life (about as likely as keeping our yards leaf-free). It’s about learning to manage stress and shift back toward the green zone when we can, by making healthy choices.

And we can’t do it alone. Just like the trees dropping all those leaves in my yard don’t thrive in isolation, neither do we. Our surroundings—our work environments, families, and communities—play a huge role in how we handle stress. If we’re surrounded by support, it’s easier to get through tough times.

However, when our environment feels chaotic or unhelpful, stress piles up faster. That’s why Responder Alliance emphasizes not just individual stress management but creating supportive environments for one another.

So, as you watch the leaves change and brace for the coming snow, take a moment to check in with yourself. Where are you on the stress continuum? If things are tipping into the orange zone, what can you do to give yourself a break? Maybe it’s asking for help, saying “no” to one more thing, or just taking a minute to breathe.

Stress is inevitable, but stress injury doesn’t have to be. By recognizing it early and managing it, we can get through the coming winter with a little more ease (and maybe even some joy).

If you, or someone you know, needs help with their stress, let us know. We provide free and confidential support, as well as six free counseling sessions to qualified individuals. Call or text 208-354-6198, email info@tetonvalleymentalhealth.com, or find out more on our website TetonValleyMentalHealth.com. Our offices are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 am-4 pm.

76 N Main Street, Suite 206, Driggs, ID 83422
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