This article was written by Chantelle Cooke, Volunteer. It was also included in a recent Volunteer Update Newsletter.
Stress Awareness Month is a month-long event run by the Stress Management Society that runs each April to bring awareness about the impact of stress and to help individuals to learn how to manage stress through developing coping mechanisms.
Signs of stress include:
- Feeling anxious, overwhelmed or afraid
- Feeling uninterested in life
- Being tearful or crying
- Feeling restless, biting your nails and snapping at people
- Headaches, high blood pressure and muscle tension.
You can test your stress levels on the Stress Management Society Website to help give an idea of your current stress levels.
Stress can have a negative impact on our bodies and minds such as leading to an emotional or mental breakdown, having digestive issues, insomnia or increasing blood pressure which can contribute to diseases. The Stress Management Society has information on how to cope with stress such as:
- Getting a good night sleep
- Adopting a positive mindset
- Learning to say no
- Mastering your time
- Practicing deep breathing
This year the focus of the Stress Awareness Month is to ‘Regain connection, connectivity and control.’
The website also features a 30 day challenge to help deal with stress levels and has resources such as a free stress relief colouring book to help de-stress.
Although April is almost over, why not give the 30 day challenge a go in May – it might help you to de-stress and relax 😊
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