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Updated Apr 4, 2023

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April is Stress Awareness Month 2023!

April is National Stress Awareness Month, which has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic.

It provides an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress and to remove guilt, shame and stigma around mental health.

This years theme is #ACTNOW as Action Changes Things. It is an invitation to go beyond talk and campaign for taking action and personal responsibility in creating a positive change, with the aim to create an opportunity for us to consider how we are going to do something to make things better.

30 day challenge

The Stress Management Society encourages people to spend April taking part in their 30 day challenge, where you pick one action each for your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing to carry out every day.

It takes 30 days to turn actions into habits, so this challenge maximises the chances of turning knowledge and techniques into positive behavioural change. The Society provides free resources that can be downloaded for the challenge, including a daily de-stress planner, a stress guide, and a seven step achievement plan.

What else can I do for Stress Awareness Month?

Other than the 30 day challenge, here are some other activities the Society encourages us to take part in:

  • talk about stress and it's effects - to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about it openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues;
  • share your coping mechanisms - if something has worked for you, share it as it might benefit someone you care about;
  • be kind to those who are stressed and anxious - we are all going to experience stress and anxiety at some point in our lives so treat others with compassion and empathy;
  • look after yourself and think about self-care - take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy, and try to exercise and eat well.

Bupa provides the following ten tips for managing stress:

  • exercise - going for a walk will release natural feel-good endorphins in your brain;
  • reduce smoking and alcohol - trying to cut back as they can make problems worse;
  • eat well - a healthy diet, including fruit and vegetables, and drink enough water;
  • prioritise sleep - cut down on caffeine and screen time;
  • practise mindfulness - when you wake up focus on your breathing for a few minutes;
  • chill out - do things that you enjoy and make you feel relaxed;
  • be your own cheerleader - set realistic goals and reward your achievements;
  • communicate - know when to say no to things and do not take on too much;
  • take a break - a change of scenery can help you to relax and gain perspective;
  • seek support - either by friends and family, colleagues, a club, volunteer programme, or through a health care professional.

How does stress affect your business?

Stress is one of the most common causes of long-term work absence in the UK.

Supporting employees who are feeling stressed can help you to understand what is making them feel this way. Practical steps can then be taken to address this and help employees feel more positive and productive at work.

Whether a small business or a large corporation, the law requires all employers to prevent work related stress to support good mental health in the workplace.

There are six areas to consider which can cause work related stress:

  • demands;
  • control;
  • support;
  • relationships;
  • role; and
  • change.

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Working Minds campaign

The HSE's Working Minds campaign recommends employers follow these steps to support work-related stress:

  • reach out - start a conversation;
  • recognise - the signs of stress in individuals and teams;
  • respond - action points and solutions which should be agreed together between employers and workers;
  • reflect - monitor and review the actions you have taken, or not taken in some cases;
  • make it a routine - ask how people are and check-in on mental health and stress.

Liz Goodwill, Head of the Work-Related Stress and Mental Health Policy Team at HSE, said: "Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity for employers to check in and support their staff's mental health".

"There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect someone's ability to cope".

For more information on this subject, see:


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