What are your plans?
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. However, despite this running for 29 years, there is a long way to go. 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.
Millions of us around the UK are experiencing high levels of stress, and it is damaging our health. Stress is one of our time's great public health challenges, but it still isn’t being taken as seriously as physical health concerns. Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems. Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn what steps we can take to reduce it for ourselves and those around us.
The 30 Day Challenge Regaining Connectivity, Certainty and Control
The theme this year for Stress Awareness Month 2021 is ‘Regaining Connectivity, Certainty and Control’.
There was a recent study on stress levels gathered from 2000 British adults. The research identified that 65% of people in the UK had felt more stressed since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020. The three key causes for concern are feelings of disconnection, uncertainty, and a worrying loss of control.
Therefore, this year the decision to weave these three key factors into this year’s theme for Stress Awareness Month. The practical approach ensures that we are able to offer beneficial resources and effective materials to those who are struggling.
The 30 Day Challenge
This year we challenge you to a 30 Day Challenge. QFS Scaffolding encourages 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.
What else could you do for Stress Awareness Month?
Talk about stress and its effects – let's work together to reduce the stigma associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues.
Share your coping mechanisms – if something has worked for you, why not share it. It might benefit someone you care about, and in the meantime, it might help you take your focus off your own challenges.
Be nice to those who are stressed and anxious – we are all undoubtedly going to experience stress and anxiety in our lifetime, so treat others going through wit with compassion and empathy.
Look after yourself – we all need to think more about self–care. Take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy. Don’t forget to exercise and eat well, even when you feel too stressed.
The most crucial thing you can do when stressed or anxious is to make sure you are continuing to look after yourself. Make time to relax when you need to and learn to say no to requests that are too much for you.