How to Celebrate International Stress Awareness Month

While ‘stress’ is a term we hear about quite often in our everyday lives, it is important that we do not discount it as simply a buzzword. A study from 2018 found that 74% people that year had been stressed to the point that they were unable to cope with it.

‘Stress’ refers to a state of worry or mental tension that is caused by a difficult situation. When a person experiences high levels of stress repeatedly, it can lead to them experiencing physiological issues such as high blood pressure, artery-clogging deposits and even cause mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Source: Harvard Health

When is International Stress Awareness Month?

Every year, the month of April is dedicated to celebrating Stress Awareness Month. The purpose of observing International Stress Awareness Month is to bring to light the negative ramifications of stress to people.

Source: National Institutes of Health

What is the Theme of International Stress Awareness Month in 2024?

The theme for International Stress Awareness Month in 2024 is “#LittleByLittle.” This theme underscores the idea that small, consistent positive actions can have a transformative effect on overall wellbeing. It aims to emphasise that even minor daily efforts towards self-care and stress reduction can lead to substantial improvements in mental health over time.

Source: Stress Management Society

How Can We Celebrate Stress Awareness Month?

These are some steps you can encourage in the workplace to promote stress relief across your organisation.

1. Take 5 Minutes Daily to De-Stress

Taking just five minutes a day to de-stress is crucial because it offers significant mental and physical health benefits. This brief relaxation period helps improve focus, calmness, and clarity, enhancing sleep quality, immune function, and emotional wellbeing. With 1,440 minutes in a day, dedicating five to relaxation allows you to handle daily tasks like presentations and emails more calmly and productively.

Source: Forbes

2. Practice Mindfulness

Meditation serves as an effective tool for stress relief by promoting mindfulness and enhancing present-moment awareness. Practitioners experience increased calmness and better stress management, benefiting their day-to-day emotional well-being. Starting with simple awareness of senses helps anchor thoughts and reduces anxiety. This tool is especially helpful when coping with stress at work.

Source: Mental Health UK

3. Move Your Body

Exercise helps relieve stress by reducing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol and boosting endorphins, which elevate mood and provide a sense of relaxation and optimism. It also offers a mental break, providing opportunities for solitude or social interaction, which distracts from daily worries and fosters creativity.

Source: Harvard Health

4. Do Something Creative

Engaging in creative activities serves as a healthy distraction, steering the mind away from stressors and toward more fulfilling endeavours. When individuals immerse themselves in creative tasks, they often experience a shift away from negative thoughts, which in turn fosters feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. Studies have found that nearly 71% of people who participated in creativity reported positive mental health.

Source: Mental Health Research

5. Hire a Stress Awareness Speaker!

Hiring a stress awareness keynote speaker will affirm to your employees that you are considerate of their welfare.

Who Are the Top 5 Stress Awareness Speakers?

1. Jonny Benjamin

2. Kelly Holmes

3. Jonny Wilkinson

4. Gina Buckney

5. Jason Fox

If you are looking for a stress awareness & mental health keynote speaker, contact us at The Mental Health Speakers Agency today! You can fill our online contact form or call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0203 9816 296.