April is Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month has taken place every April in the UK since 1992, with the aim of raising awareness of the causes and effects of stress, as well as promoting strategies for coping with stress.

Stress is a normal part of life, and it can actually be beneficial in small doses. It can help us to perform better under pressure and can motivate us to achieve our goals. However, when stress becomes chronic and is not managed effectively, it can have a negative impact on both our physical and mental health.

Symptoms of stress can include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low mood
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

Long-term stress can also lead to more serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

The Stress Management Society (www.stress.org.uk) highlights that Stress Awareness month "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".

The Stress Management Society's role is to empower and inspire people into action. They aim to do this through the resources and information that they are sharing throughout April. People are encouraged to download their free resources and get in touch to find out more about how they can take action and create a meaningful change. They aim to create an opportunity for all of us to consider how we are going to do something to make things better.

Some things that the Stress Management Society suggests that we could do for Stress Awareness month are:

• Talk about Stress and its effects – work together to reduce the stigma that is 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 it 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.

It is important to remember that everyone experiences stress differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is important to find what works best for you and to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. And please remember that we at Citizens Advice Portsmouth may also be able to help.