April is Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month, co-ordinated by the Stress Management Society (SMS), has been held every April, since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. 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.
SMS recently collaborated with Huawei AppGallery to conduct a study on stress, gathering data from 2000 British adults. The research identified that 65% of people in the UK have 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. These three key factors will be woven into this year’s theme for Stress Awareness Month. The campaign’s practical approach ensures that it offers beneficial resources and effective materials to those who are struggling.
What is stress?
Stress is not always a ‘bad’ thing. Without this ability to feel stress, humankind wouldn’t have survived. Our cavemen ancestors, for example, used its onset to alert them to a potential danger, such as a sabre-toothed tiger.
Stress is primarily a physical response. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prepare the body for physical action. This causes a number of reactions, from blood being diverted to muscles to shutting down unnecessary bodily functions such as digestion. Through the release of hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine, the caveman gained a rush of energy, which prepared him to either fight the tiger or run away. That heart pounding, fast breathing sensation is the adrenaline; as well as a boost of energy, it enables us to focus our attention so we can quickly respond to the situation.
In the modern world, the ‘fight or flight’ mode can still help us survive dangerous situations, such as reacting swiftly to a person running in front of our car by slamming on the brakes. The challenge is when our body goes into a state of stress in inappropriate situations. When blood flow is going only to the most important muscles needed to fight or flee, brain function is minimised. This can lead to an inability to ‘think straight’; a state that is a great hindrance in both our work and home lives. If we are kept in this state for long periods, it can be detrimental to our health.
For more information on what stress it and how it can affect us, click here.
Managing and Coping with Stress
Recognising stress and its causes, and taking steps to look after your wellbeing can help you deal with pressure, and reduce the impact that stress has on your life. This is sometimes called developing emotional resilience – the ability to adapt and bounce back when something difficult happens in your life. If you feel that stress is starting to affect your physical and mental health, there are lots of ways you can help yourself and access support.
Online Resources
- Stress Management Society – Through the SMS website, you can find out in detail what stress is, how to identify its triggers and a wealth of information on managing it both at home and work. Click here to visit their website now.
- Mind – Through the Mind website, you can access information on what stress is, how it can impact on our mental health, and how to develop emotional resilience to cope with it. Click here to visit the Mind website now.
- Mental Health Foundation – Through their website, the Mental Health Foundation provide information on stress, the signs and how we can help ourselves. They also share podcasts and an animation to help us think about how we can cope with stress. Click here to visit their website now.
National and Online Support
- Samaritans – Need to talk? If stress is getting on top of you and you feel that you would benefit from talking with someone about what you are experiencing, the Samaritans service provides a free, 24/7, emotional support and listening ear service. Click here to visit their website to find out about their free telephone support service and web-based self-help app.
- Mind – You can access information and advice from Mind’s helpline services to find out more about stress. Mind also provide the Side-by-Side online community where you can access online peer support and speak virtually with others going through similar experiences to you.
- Shout Crisis Messenger – If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, or that you can’t cope, Shout Crisis Messenger provides a 24/7 text support service. Click here to visit their website to find out more about free support available from crisis volunteers.
- Useful apps – When dealing with stress, you may find relaxation, mindfulness, or self-care helpful. Through our Useful Apps section, you can find out about a range of apps available to support you with your health and wellbeing, click here to find an app to support you today.
Local Support
Stress isn’t a medical diagnosis, so there’s no specific treatment for it. However, if you’re finding it very hard to cope with things going on in your life, you may find it useful to contact a local organisation who can support you. Check out the services listed below to find out what support is available in your area and how to get in touch.
South Tyneside Lifecycle Primary Care Mental Health Service
The Lifecycle Service incorporates the provision of IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) mental health services across the entire age spectrum including the 0-5 Early Years, Children and Adolescent (Tier 2 CAMHS), together with South Tyneside Talking Therapies for adults with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Click here for more information.
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
Whether you are experiencing mental health problems or going through a difficult time in your life, we can help. Our aim is to help you live the best life you can, whatever challenges you face. Click here for more information.
Sunderland Counselling Service
Sunderland Counselling Service is a charity that has been established for almost thirty years and provides a range of counselling and support services for people in the City of Sunderland who are suffering from emotional or mental distress. Click here for more information.
Sunderland Mind
We are an advice, support, and counselling service supporting anyone struggling with mental ill health. We deliver mental health training, and several courses. Click here for more information.
Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service (IAPT)
Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service offers a range of psychological therapies (CBT, IPT, Guided Self-Help) for people who are experiencing common mental health problems including depression and a range of anxiety disorders city wide and including Washington, Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-hole. Click here for more information.
Washington Mind
Washington Mind is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (C.I.O.) offering a range of mental health and wellbeing services and training for the local community throughout Washington, Sunderland and the Coalfields. Click here for more information.
