Nobody is immune to stress which is why stress awareness month is incredibly important. As we start to approach April we will further understand what stress is and ways it can show up in our lives. Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992.
What is stress?
Stress is a natural response to high triggering areas in our day-to-day lives and it becomes built up over time, especially when ignored or left untreated. Stress is a result of not having enough resources to face the situations going on in our lives.
How to spot it?
Psychological symptoms:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling worried, anxious, or scared
- Feeling irritable
- Not feeling interested in life
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling neglected or lonely
Physical symptoms:
- Feeling sick, dizzy, or faint
- Aches and pains
- Trouble sleeping
- Blurred eyesight or sore eyes
- Trouble breathing
- Headaches
- Tired all the time
- Clenching your jaw
Changes in behaviour:
- Drinking or smoking more than usual
- Eating more or less
- Picking at your skin
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleeping schedule, sleeping more or less than usual
- Loss of confidence
- Difficulty making decisions
- Avoiding certain situations
The Causes
Stress is usually triggered by demanding circumstances going on in our lives that become hard to avoid.
Some of those include:
- Life experiences
- Changes in personal lives
- Money problems
- Health issues
- Looking after children
- Difficult work environment
- Lonely and/or unsupported
- COVID-19
Why is Stress Awareness Month important and what can you do to get involved?
Last year’s Stress Awareness Month highlighted a report done by the Mental Health Foundation which said, 74% of UK adults have felt stressed at some point over the last year and felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
This month reminds us to pay attention to our health in a number of ways. Which is why knowing ways to reduce stress is important. Below are a list of Halo Staffing’s useful tips.
- Talking about how you feel with someone you trust
- Eating well
- Staying active
- Taking time for yourself to do things you enjoy
- Meditation
- Listen to music
- Write it down
- Learn to say no
- Spend time outside
- Practice deep breathing
Ways you can actively get involved this month is by talking about stress and it’s effects, working towards reducing the stigma associated with stress. Talk about stress with those close to you.
Always be nice to those who are feeling stressed and make sure you’re actively looking after yourself as well.
