Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest public health challenges that we’re facing. Sadly, even though that is the case, we are still not taking its impact seriously enough. We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice versa. The reality is they cannot be separate – they are two sides of the same coin. There is no health without mental health and stress can lead to numerous health problems. From physical problems, like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc to more serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic. It is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress. Dedicated time to removing the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health. To talk about stress, and its effects and open up about our mental and emotional state with friends, families, colleagues, and professionals.
Take Action
For many years, our focus has been on opening a dialogue and creating a safe space for people to have that conversation. To talk about the impact stress creates in their professional and personal lives. We have always chosen themes for stress awareness month that are relevant, and reflective of societal challenges. For this year, we had to think very carefully about how we take this a step further.
Through our campaign #choosehope we have learned that having hope is imperative to find a way through and beyond our challenges, however, hope isn’t just a feeling, it inspires us to take action. Towards a conscious decision to perceive things differently and create a plan to achieve the desired goal. This has inspired this year’s stress awareness month theme, an invitation to go beyond talk and campaign for taking action and personal responsibility in creating a positive change. We aim to create an opportunity for all of us to consider how we are going to do something to make things better.
The Stress Management Society’s role is to empower and inspire people into action. If we look up the word “power” in the dictionary, power quite literally means the ability to do or act. We aim to do this through all the resources and information we will be sharing throughout April. Our commitment is to support individuals and organisations in taking action. Feel free to download our free resources and get in touch to find out more about how you can take action and create a meaningful change.
As we progress through April, we’ll be looking deeper into what actions one can take to create a change in their personal and professional life. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter!
The 30 Day Challenge
If you haven’t yet join our 30 Day Challenge for April. We are encouraging you to 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, which is why this is a month-long programme. The 30-day challenge will maximise your chances of turning useful knowledge and techniques into positive behavioural change.
Click below to gain the access to our free resources specifically created for the month of April. You can download the 30 Day Challenge, a Daily De-Stressing Planner, a Stress Guide, 7 Steps Achievement Plan, useful infographics on stress and much more!
