Stress Awareness Month 2023

Stress Awareness Month is held every April to raise awareness of the causes and impact stress can have on us.

What is stress?
There are all kinds of stressful situations that can be a part of daily life. Stress is a natural reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. It's very common, can be motivating to help us achieve things in our daily life, and can help us meet the demands of home, work and family life. But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable and affect our self-esteem.

Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period of time can also lead to a feeling of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called burnout.

What are the signs and symptoms of stress?
Some of the signs of stress that you, a colleague, friends or family might feel can include:

• poor judgement and inability to concentrate
• frustration and irritability
• anxiety and feeling overwhelmed
• isolation from others
• demotivation
• feel a lack of self-confidence
• have trouble sleeping or feel tired all the time
• be eating more or less than usual
• drink or smoke more than usual
• physical symptoms like a faster heartbeat and high blood pressure

There are plenty of things you can do to help cope with stressful events, and simple steps you can take to deal with feelings of stress or burnout. If you have been experiencing stress for some time and it's affecting your daily life or causing you distress, you should consider seeking further support. We have included some useful online support and information below and over the following weeks during Stress Awareness Month will be sharing self-care tips.

Useful online support and information

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  You, or your immediate family, can contact the EAP to discuss all types of personal issues (financial, parenting, caring and so on), on a confidential basis. Call the Employee Assistance Programme on 0808 196 2374.

• EEAST Crisis Line
  When life gets too tough: you don’t know what to do or who to turn to, call the EEAST Crisis Line on 0808 196 2370.

• Headspace
  Headspace is the mindfulness and meditation app is available for staff across EEAST to download for free and provides unique tools and resources to help reduce stress and anxiety.

• Mind
  The mental health charity has a number of resources which you can access on the link above. 

• Anxiety UK
  Advice and support for people living with anxiety. Call the helpline on 03444 775 774.

 

Published 3rd April 2023