Let’s talk about it! Stress Awareness Month

Stress…anxiety…pressure…the last year has been a difficult experience for all of us and how we handle stress in our everyday lives. This month we would like to raise awareness on the topic and provide a few helpful tips on managing it.😖

Held every April since 1992, the annual month increases awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern-day strains. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. [Source]

What is Stress?

• Stress is the body’s natural reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.

• It can motivate us to achieve the things we need to do and to meet the demands placed on us in our personal and working lives.

• However, too much stress can result in us feeling overwhelmed and it can have a negative impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing.

Causes of Stress?

• Stress affects everybody differently. So what one person considers to be stressful, might feel much different for another.

• Relationships: such as personal relationship difficulties, divorce, or caring responsibilities.

• Life changes: such as traumatic events, bereavement, changes in usual lifestyle and routine, and changes to your housing.

• Health difficulties: such as illness or injury and the impact these may have on your day-to-day life, or concern regarding the health of a loved one.

• Finances: such as debt, unexpected outgoings, and changes to your income.

• Work: such as unemployment, retirement, changes to your usual workload and routine, e.g. working from home due to COVID-19.

• When we experience symptoms of stress, we are also more susceptible to unhealthy behaviours such as procrastination, increased use of alcohol, cigarettes or recreational drugs, sleeping or eating too much or not enough, or isolating ourselves from others. These behaviours can impact our bodies ability to manage stress, creating a downward spiral.

How to reduce stress

• Why not complete the ‘Every Mind Matters’ quiz? five questions to give you a tailored plan for improving your wellbeing based on your answers. Click here to take part. 🧠

• Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on our ability to manage stress. It promotes the release of endorphins, our “feel good” hormone, which, in turn, can lift mood and reduce anxiety and worry. 👟

• Make time to unwind before bedtime and maintain your sleep routine. 😴

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet can have a positive influence on how our bodies respond to stress. Try to maintain a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of nutritious foods, even in times of stress. 🥗

• Spending time outdoors and amongst nature can reduce stress, as it is understood to lower our heart rate and blood pressure.  🌞

• Mindfulness - Take time each day to focus on something you are grateful for and/or practise mindfulness or meditation. Click here for more tips. 😊

• Learning something new or volunteering can also offer distraction, give us a purpose and help reduce stress. 📚

Or try the 5 ways to wellbeing...

Duaradiamond – Our New Occupational Health Provider

At the beginning of the month, we began the new partnership with Duradiamond, our new occupational health provider. Their role is to proactively support our line managers and colleagues in the workplace with any health and wellbeing issues that may arise as well as giving the Society access to a wide range of resources. In turn, ensuring our colleagues can access and proactively support themselves with any health issues they may have. If you require support from occupational health then please discuss this with your line manager in the first instance.

Grocery Aid support – our dedicated grocery partner

For emotional, financial and practical support for colleagues please contact 08088 021 122 - www.groceryaid.org.uk