πŸ™‡β€β™‚οΈ Stress Awareness Month - April 2026πŸ™‡β€β™€οΈ

Holly_Scope
Holly_Scope Posts: 5,296 Online Community Team
edited April 17 in Mental health and wellbeing
Title: Stress Awareness Month 2026. #BeTheChange. Background: A droplet of water creating a ripple.

April is Stress Awareness Month. This years theme is #BeTheChange. The key is to shift focus from awareness, to recognition and taking practical steps to manage it.

We experience stress in many aspects of life, which can impact our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

There are actions that we can take though, small and regularly, to make a real difference. For example, by building on our self-awareness, incorporating healthy coping strategies. It's also important to have open and honest conversations to help reduce stigma. By being there for one another we can help to reduce the effects of stress.

Some of the actions you can take to help reduce stress:

  • Take a little time every day to check in with how you’re feeling
  • Make time for the things you enjoy, including rest and sleep
  • Build small habits like mindful breathing, walking, getting fresh air
  • Practice kindness and empathy to others who might be struggling
  • Where possible, reduce stress triggers such as workload or screen time
  • Set attainable goals and boundaries, as to not get overwhelmed
  • Try to talk about your feelings. Speak to friends, family, or a colleague
  • Reach out for professional support if stress becomes unmanageable. Speak to your GP, or a support charity such as Mind.
  • And last but not least, make sure you take time to relax. Do something that brings you peace.
A woman sat in the centre of a flower. She is watering the pot that the flower is in.

We hope this information is helpful, I've certainly taken away a few things to improve on.

If you have any tips for helping with stress, we'd love to hear them!

Comments

  • dolfrog
    dolfrog Posts: 629 Trailblazing

    I had high levels of stress over the last 20 years due the the lack of understanding of my lifelong disability Auditory Processing Disorder.

    It causes high levels of blood pressure which i no longer measure.

    i cope by playing online card games mainly solitaire games, and other robot games.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,345 Online Community Team

    Sorry to hear how much stress has affected you @dolfrog, it's awful being misunderstood and it can really take its toll on you. I find online games are great for de-stressing too. I used to play Solitaire on my commute back from my last job, it definitely helped me calm myself after a busy day.

  • MegaAlone
    MegaAlone Community Member Posts: 14 Connected

    be among the people be known and know others too :) love this theme of transition from awareness to recognition!

    not everyone understands and not everyone needs to know all things that are impacting you. Like some people are like vultures that pick at you. Some people get confused and some go into solution mode. All bonds take time :) keep going!

    Also great idea and thanks for posting @Holly_Scope

  • Katiedimelow20
    Katiedimelow20 Community Member Posts: 270 Connected

    m struggling a lot with my emotions at the moment. My anxiety feels more unstable than usual, and being around my parents makes everything feel heavier. I’ve been feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and pretty alone with it.

    The only time I feel like I can breathe and be myself is when I’m playing Splatoon 3. I had a really good Rainmaker match on the airport map today, and for a moment it felt like the stress lifted. Gaming has become a bit of a safe space for me.

    I wanted to share this because I’m finding it hard to manage everything, and I wondered if anyone else uses games or hobbies as a way to cope when emotions get intense.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,296 Online Community Team

    I'm sorry to hear @Katiedimelow20. I go through stages of that a lot lately, and don't take as much advantage of the Playstation as I should as I've got some light games that are a good distraction. I'm pleased you find it helps you - thank you for sharing with us all.

    And thank you @MegaAlone. I think we all handle things differently, and what works for one person might not for another so it's good to hear how other people help to reduce stress πŸ’›

    I also find following certain people on Social Media can help when you least expect it and having a scroll. I follow Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle (@drdoylesays) β€’ Instagram photos and videos who posts a lot of supportive and knowledgeable things for CPSTD, and the occasional picture of their cute cat too. I generally think social media can be a bit toxic now-a-days, but this sort of thing can be really helpful when least expected.

  • Amberpearl
    Amberpearl Community Member Posts: 3,893 Championing

    I'm. Very stressed

    It's scary to live with a serious heart condition

    Plus the constant fear my ex might reappear

    Money worries too

    Loniliness

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 3,454 Online Community Team

    Hi @Amberpearl. I'm so sorry you're struggling. Have you had issues with your ex before? It must be so difficult to live with that fear.

    I've sent you an email so be on the lookout for it.

  • Amberpearl
    Amberpearl Community Member Posts: 3,893 Championing

    My ex is a narcissist

    Horrible man

    I'm. Stressed due to lots of reason a

    No money

    Health worries etc

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,296 Online Community Team

    I'm so sorry @Amberpearl. Do you have any contact from your ex anymore?

    Is there anything in particular that we could maybe look at to support with money? If you'd like I can refer you to StepChange? Once the referral has been made you will receive a link to their online debt tool.

    The tool is free and confidential. They will never see what you add to it, and it won’t involve any kind of credit check. The tool will help you put together a manageable budget, to make sure you can afford important things like food and your home. While you fill in the tool it would be good to have details of your debts, income and spending to hand.

    The tool will help you to understand what options are available to help with your debts, and you’ll receive a personal action plan so you know what to do next. Please let me know if you think this might be helpful and would like me to do so.

    I hope you start to feel a little better. Hopefully there are some tips on this post that might help ease your stress a little each day, even if just a little. πŸ’œ

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