April marks National Stress Awareness Month: Expert shares tips to manage everyday pressure
WELCOME BACK. WE ARE SEVEN DAYS INTO THE MONTH OF APRIL FROM FINANCES AND CURRENT EVENTS TO EVERYDAY RESPONSIBILITIES, MANY PEOPLE ARE FEELING STRESSED RIGHT NOW AND THIS MORNING WE WANT TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND STRESS AND ULTIMATELY HOW TO MANAGE IT. SO WE WELCOME LEILANI SECKLER. SHE’S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT PATHLIGHT MOOD AND ANXIETY CENTER IN SACRAMENTO. GOOD MORNING. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME EXPLAIN. FOR PEOPLE, WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF STRESS? WHAT KINDS OF THINGS SHOULD THEY BE LOOKING FOR? WELL, YOU KNOW, STRESS IS THE BODY’S NATURAL RESPONSE TO A THREAT IN THE ENVIRONMENT. SO SO THE STRESS RESPONSE IS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE US WITH CORTISOL, GET US MOVING EITHER FIGHT OR FLIGHT. RIGHT. MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROBLEM WHEN WHEN THE BODY DOESN’T RETURN TO BASELINE IS YOU GET THESE CHRONIC SYMPTOMS OF BEING UNDER THAT THREAT RESPONSE. AND SO YOU MIGHT SEE PROBLEMS WITH SLEEP, DIGESTIVE ISSUES, IRRITABILITY, FEELING CONSTANTLY ON EDGE LIKE YOU WANT TO TAKE ACTION. BUT THE THREAT NEVER REALLY PASSES. AND THAT’S WHAT WE GET WHEN WE GET CHRONIC STRESS LEVELS THAT WE HAVE TODAY. AND HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM, SAY, ANXIETY? WELL, STRESS RESPONSE IS AN ACTUAL RESPONSE TO A THREAT IN THE ENVIRONMENT. ANXIETY IS AN ONGOING FEELING THAT THERE IS A THREAT WHEN THERE REALLY ISN’T ONE. AND SO YOU GET THIS PHYSICAL FEELING OF LIKE A SENSE OF DOOM, LIKE, LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG. YOU’RE ALWAYS WORRIED AND YET YOU CAN’T QUITE PINPOINT WHAT IT IS THAT IS STRESSING YOU OUT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO REAL ESCAPABLE THREAT. YOU KNOW, TO THAT APRIL IS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH. WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE, OR MAYBE MORE PEOPLE ARE STRESSED THIS MONTH IN PARTICULAR? YOU KNOW, I YOU ASKED ME THIS LAST TIME AND I WAS LOOKING THAT UP AND I THINK THEY JUST CHOSE APRIL AS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH TO REALLY RAISE AWARENESS OF STRESS AND CHRONIC STRESS AND THE EFFECTS ON OUR BODIES, BECAUSE IT DOES CAUSE PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO COPE WITH IT. SO YOU SEE THINGS LIKE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, SLEEP PROBLEMS, DIGESTIVE ISSUES, LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT. AND SO IT’S, IT’S TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC STRESS AND HOW YOU CAN TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SO THAT IT DOESN’T BECOME A CRISIS SITUATION OR CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES COULD BE BECAUSE IT’S TAX SEASON. MAYBE THAT WAS MY ANSWER LAST TIME. SO MAYBE TAXES, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD. YEAH FOR SURE. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS PEOPLE CAN DO? WHAT ARE SOME EVERYDAY TIPS THAT PEOPLE CAN USE STARTING TODAY TO HELP MANAGE STRESS? SO ANYTIME I DO THERAPY, I ALWAYS START WITH TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. SO STARTING WITH THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE YOU’RE GETTING AT LEAST SEVEN HOURS OF QUALITY SLEEP A NIGHT, EASIER SAID THAN DONE FOR MOST PEOPLE. YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE YOU GET OUTSIDE AND GET 30 MINUTES OF SUNSHINE A DAY, TRYING TO STAY ACTIVE, DRINKING WATER, MAKING SURE YOU’RE EATING A NUTRITIOUS DIET, AND THEN DOING DOING SOME THINGS FOR YOU. YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE KNOW THE TERM SELF-CARE. NOW. IT’S NO JOKE, RIGHT? MAKE SURE YOU JOIN A BOOK CLUB OR TRAVEL OR IF YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT IN THESE GAS PRICES. BUT, YOU KNOW, DOING THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR, YOUR BODY AND YOUR AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TO, TO STAY PHYSICALLY WELL, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU ADVISE PEOPLE TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP? SO, SO ANYTIME YOU’RE HAVING THESE RESPONSES THAT KIND OF INTERRUPT YOUR ABILITY TO DO JUST YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. SO IF IT’S INTERRUPTING YOUR ABILITY TO WORK, TO GO TO SCHOOL, IF IT’S AFFECTING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU START TO SEE THOSE PHYSICAL SO NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP, HAVING DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS, OR IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE GETTING INTO MORE CHRONIC DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, MOST PEOPLE KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AND HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU? SO W W W DOT PATHLIGHT B.COM, WE DO FREE ASSESSMENTS FOR FOLKS, SO YOU CAN CALL AND GET A FREE ASSESSMENT AND WE’LL, WE’LL HELP HOOK YOU UP WITH SOME KIND OF SERVICES, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE. ALSO, IT’S OKAY TO REACH OUT TO A THERAPIST BEFORE IT BECOMES A CRISIS. IT’S ACTUALLY OKAY TO TALK TO A THERAPIST JUST FOR MAINTENANCE. LIKE YOU WOULD GO GET A MASSAGE, YOU KNOW, GET A MASSAGE FOR YOUR FEELINGS. I LOV
April marks National Stress Awareness Month: Expert shares tips to manage everyday pressure
Updated: 8:40 AM PDT Apr 7, 2026
April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact stress can have on daily life and overall health. From financial concerns and demanding schedules to the weight of current events, many Americans are feeling overwhelmed.Mental health professionals say understanding the root of stress is one of the first steps toward managing it.Leilani Sechler, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical director at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center in Sacramento, said stress can show up in different ways.Sechler encourages people to take a closer look at what may be triggering their stress—whether it’s work, relationships or external pressures—and to identify small, realistic steps to manage it. That could include setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks or carving out time for rest.As Stress Awareness Month continues, experts say taking even small steps to manage stress can lead to meaningful improvements in overall health.Sechler joined KCRA 3 on Tuesday morning to talk more about stress management.Click the video above to watch the full interview. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact stress can have on daily life and overall health.
From financial concerns and demanding schedules to the weight of current events, many Americans are feeling overwhelmed.
Mental health professionals say understanding the root of stress is one of the first steps toward managing it.
Leilani Sechler, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical director at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center in Sacramento, said stress can show up in different ways.
Sechler encourages people to take a closer look at what may be triggering their stress—whether it’s work, relationships or external pressures—and to identify small, realistic steps to manage it.
That could include setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks or carving out time for rest.
As Stress Awareness Month continues, experts say taking even small steps to manage stress can lead to meaningful improvements in overall health.
Sechler joined KCRA 3 on Tuesday morning to talk more about stress management.
Click the video above to watch the full interview.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel