Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month: Looking After Our Wellbeing
Stress is a natural part of life, and in healthcare, it’s something many of us encounter regularly. April is Stress Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of recognising stress and taking steps to maintain wellbeing.
Stress in numbers
- 1 in 4 adults report experiencing stress so severe that they were unable to cope at least once in the past year.
- Over 40% of work-related health issues are linked to stress.
- Chronic stress can increase the risk of mental and physical health challenges, including anxiety, sleep problems, and cardiovascular issues.
These figures highlight how common stress is and why awareness matters, especially in high-pressure roles like nursing and healthcare.
Practical ways to support wellbeing
While stress is part of working life, having a simple way to recognise and respond to it can make a meaningful difference. A helpful approach is to think in terms of four small steps: Notice, Understand, Respond, and Review.
Notice
Pay attention to changes in yourself or others. This might be feeling more tired than usual, becoming quieter or more irritable, struggling to concentrate, or feeling overwhelmed by tasks that would normally feel manageable.
Understand
Take a moment to reflect or have a conversation. Ask yourself what might be contributing to how you feel, or gently check in with a colleague by asking how they are getting on. Stress often becomes easier to manage once the cause is understood.
Respond
Consider what small actions might help. This could mean adjusting workload, asking for support, taking a short break, speaking to a manager, or accessing available wellbeing resources. For managers, it might involve helping prioritise work or providing additional support.
Review
Check back in after some time. Stress and workload can change quickly, so it’s helpful to reflect on whether things have improved and whether further support is needed.
This simple approach can be used whether you are looking after your own wellbeing, supporting a colleague, or managing a team. Often, small conversations and early action can prevent stress from building over time.
Why Stress Awareness Month matters
This month serves as a reminder to check in on wellbeing, access support when needed, and maintain healthy habits that reduce the impact of stress. At HCRG Staffing, we want to ensure all staff have access to the resources and guidance they need to manage stress effectively while delivering high-quality care.
Learn more about Stress Awareness Month here: https://www.stress.org.uk/