April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month takes place every April with the aim to raise awareness about both the contributory factors and the solutions, as well as to reduce the stigma that surrounds stress and mental health.
During this important awareness campaign, the UK charity Mates in Mind encourage supporters, partners and friends to break down the barriers by starting the conversation with their own organisations and across their networks, not only in April, but also throughout the year.
What is stress?
Stress is a state of anxiety, tension or worry that is caused by challenging circumstances.
It is how our mind and body reacts when we feel threatened, pressured, or out of control, and is the body's response to take action when stress hormones are released, such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Symptoms can have emotional, mental and physical effects on the body like:
- weight gain;
- headaches;
- memory issues; and
- hair loss.
The way we respond to and manage stress can make a huge difference to overall wellbeing and health, and if the body reacts negatively to prolonged amounts of stress you could experience burnout.
Statistics on stress include that:
- according to a survey carried out in 2020, 79% of British people said they frequently felt work related stress;
- research by CIPHR found that one in 14 adults (7%) felt stressed every day; and
- a study by the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov found that 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope.
Why is Stress Awareness Month important?
Stress at work can have a devastating impact on someone and can have life changing repercussions for them, as well as their family, friends and colleagues.
The Health and Safety Executive key figures for Great Britain for 2022/23 stated that:
- there were 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety;
- stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 49% of all work-related ill-health cases and 54% of all working days lost due to work-related ill health;
- the main work factors cited as work-related stress, depression or anxiety included:
- the demands of the job,
- lack of control,
- lack of information and support,
- work relationships, and
- roles and responsibilities.
What can individuals do?
Small actions individuals can do to help with stress includes:
- connect with someone: check in with your support network or someone new, as a sense of belonging and community can help reduce feelings of loneliness;
- prioritise sleep: improving your bed time routine can result in a better nights sleep and can set you up for the best mental mindset for the next day;
- move in your own way: get moving in whatever way you like to, as this will get endorphins flowing and release some steam;
- spend time in nature: take time out of your day to step outside, to get fresh air and spend time in nature;
- practice breathing exercises: breathing deep is a powerful tool to help with stress reduction and relaxation;
- practice mindfulness: this allows you to focus on the here and now, aids self-awareness, and helps you practice emotional regulation and control.
What can employers do?
Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health and stress.
Promoting mental wellbeing can also benefit the business, as it can result in:
- increased productivity;
- reduction in sickness and staff turnover;
- demonstrating that the organisation is a good, safe and supportive place to work.
Analysis by Deloitte in March 2022 found that on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support.
Mental wellbeing in the workplace also helps employees to improve:
- confidence;
- purpose;
- achievement;
- positive relationships; and
- inclusion.
By ensuring that all teams are supported through a proactive prevention strategy, businesses can:
- raise awareness;
- improve understanding and the confidence to address the stigma of mental-ill health;
- create supportive workplaces.
Employers can combat stress in the workplace by:
- providing wellbeing support to allow employees to:
- explore different perspectives,
- have someone to talk to in confidence, whether that be a colleague, a mental health first-aider, or a counsellor,
- have a safe space to discuss their mental health challenges, like stress,
- recognising when one of your colleagues is struggling with stress to allow you to mitigate and help that individual quickly and appropriately;
- having open and honest conversations with employees and colleagues by creating spaces where they feel comfortable to have open and honest conversations.
For more information on this subject, see:
