National Stress Awareness Day

National Stress Awareness Day is an annual event organised by International Stress Management Association to promote awareness of the impact of stress in the workplace.

Who celebrates?

Everyone – it’s a national awareness day.

How do people celebrate?

• It is an ideal opportunity to take positive action to reduce and prevent workplace stress
• People recognise the day by talking about mental health and holding wellbeing events.

What should I know?

• The date for National Stress awareness changes every year – it’s the first Wednesday in November
• Stress is a negative physical and mental reaction to external demands and pressure
• 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

How can I support others?

• Ensure you’re taking care of your own mental health first
• Use our additional resources to education yourself on the signs of stress
• Take the opportunity to make sure your colleagues and services users know the resources available to support them in a stressful time
• Be open about times when you have been stressed to help reduce the stigma in talking about mental health
• Remember that everyone handles pressure differently and each of your colleagues will have different reactions to the same situation
• Recognise when someone may need professional support.

International Stress Management Association: https://isma.org.uk

ACAS guide to managing stress: https://archive.acas.org.uk/stress

Mind’s resource on work and stress: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/workplace-mental-health/work-and-stress/