Home » Blog » Did you know April is Stress Awareness Month? Find out more on how to help you and others

April is Stress Awareness Month

What are you going to do to reduce your own stress and help others manage theirs?

April is Stress Awareness Month, which, aims to increase public awareness about the causes of stress and how to cope with it.

Stress can be caused from different areas of life, from the workplace, as well as home, relationships, health and finances.   Coping with stress can look different for each individual.

So, what is Stress?  Simply it’s how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don’t feel we can manage or control.

If you are stressed, you might feel: Irritable, angry, impatient, wound up, overwhelmed, anxious, nervous or afraid.

You may also suffer aches and pains or a feeling like your heart is racing.  You may also feel exhausted or have trouble sleeping.

Stress affects people in different ways.  So, you may not be experiencing all of these and your symptoms may be different.

It’s important to know what’s normal for you, and if you’re feeling different either physically or emotionally, and there are things worrying you, it may be that you’re suffering with stress.

Becoming more aware of stress and learning to apply some coping mechanisms can help.  Additionally, it is well known that if people know they will be treated with understanding and compassion, they are more likely to reach out for help.

Reach out to others during Stress Awareness Month.  You can signpost your employees and friends to support such as the Mental Health Foundation, Mind, the NHS, an Employee Assistance Programme if you have one, or a Mental Health First Aider, and don’t forget to manage your own stress levels.

Here are Stress Busters from the NHS.

Be active – Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it can reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly.

Take control – If you think you cannot do anything about your problem, your stress can get worse. The act of taking control is itself empowering, and it’s a crucial part of finding a solution.

Connect with people – A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way.

Have some “me time” – Many of us work long hours, meaning we often don’t spend enough time doing things we really enjoy.  It’s important to take some time for socialising, relaxation or exercise.

Challenge yourself – Setting yourself goals and challenges, whether at work or outside, such as learning a new language or a new sport, can help build confidence. This may help you deal with stress.

Avoid unhealthy habits – Don’t rely on alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping.

Help other people – Evidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, often become more resilient.

If you don’t have time to volunteer, try to do someone a favour every day. It can be something as small as helping someone cross the road or going on a coffee run for colleagues.

Work smarter, not harder – Working smarter means prioritising your work, concentrating on the tasks that’ll make a real difference.

Leave the least important tasks to last. Accept that you will not have time for everything.

Try to be positive – Look for the positives in life, and things for which you’re grateful.

Try writing down three things that went well, or for which you’re grateful, at the end of every day.

Other Articles

Our 11 step guide to changing a toxic culture A Quick HR Guide to Neurodiversity How to make your employees more efficient