April 2023:
Stress Awareness Month



Posted 01/04/2023





April is National Stress Awareness Month. National Stress Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.


Stress and poor mental health are one of the biggest public health challenges that we’re facing. Sadly, even though that is the case, we are still not taking its impact seriously enough. We continue to separate mental health from physical health and vice versa. The reality is they cannot be separate – they are two sides of the same coin. There is no health without mental health and stress can lead to numerous health problems. From physical problems, like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, etc to more serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.


It’s critical to recognise what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience and manage job stress, and know where to go for help.




What is stress?



Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.


When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the "fight or flight" hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly.


But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem.


Experiencing long-term stress or severe stress can lead to feeling physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called "burnout"



Signs & symptoms of stress



Stress can affect our emotions and we may:

  • be irritable, angry or tearful
  • feel worried, anxious, hopeless or scared
  • struggle to make decisions, have racing thoughts or feel overwhelmed

The physical symptoms of stress include:

  • stomach problems, stress headaches and other odd pains including muscle pain
  • skin reactions, like stress rashes and hives
  • feeling dizzy, sick or faint

Sometimes, stress causes high blood pressure and chest pains – but these symptoms should stop when your stress goes. If you have any symptoms that you are worried about, or feel you have more severe stress, see a GP.


Stress can also make us behave differently, especially around:

  • how much we eat or exercise
  • our habits around drinking, smoking or taking other substances
  • how much we see people or do things we used to do or enjoy (avoidance)



What causes stress?



The things that cause stress vary from person to person.


The level of stress you are comfortable with may be higher or lower than that of others around you. Stressful feelings typically happen when we feel we do not have the resources to manage the challenges we face.


Pressure at work, school or home, illness, or difficult or sudden life events can all lead to stress.


Possible causes of stress include:

  • our genes, upbringing and experiences as children or adults
  • personal problems like relationship issues
  • life changes, like moving house, having a baby or bereavement
  • money worries, housing issues or job problems
  • health issues, either for you or someone close to you
  • pregnancy and parenting
  • loneliness or feeling unsupported


1. Talk about Stress and its effects



Let's work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues.




2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



Virtual Drop-in Clinic





If you are feeling a little down, worried about the current pandemic, or just looking to let off some steam; our counsellor is now providing virtual drop-in sessions every Tuesday.


Issues or concerns discussed with Jaime do not need to be work related; but could include home life, relationship, or health concerns.


We want you to be assured that the counsellor here at PCS is there to listen to you in a confidential, safe and secure space.


This service is completely confidential and free to all our Staff.



Your counsellor at PCS is also a qualified CBT practitioner as well as qualified ‘talking’ therapist. She will help and support you if you feel that you are suffering from something such as perimenopause.


Don’t suffer from any mental health issue in silence or alone, the more that we talk about it, the better you will feel.


Contact Jaime on 07399809671 or email on jaime@personal-careservices.co.uk


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