The impact of stress and its effects on our mental and physical health shouldn’t be ignored – so throughout April, it’s time to highlight National Stress Awareness Month, UK.
We often separate mental and physical health – the former being an afterthought. But great physical health isn’t achievable if your mental health and stress levels are sub-par.
It’s clear we need to do more to help ourselves. But how?
Come with us as we take you on a journey to de-stress…
Stress Awareness Month 2024
Now in its 32nd year, Stress Awareness Month is a period of time in which everyone is encouraged to be more aware of stress and how it affects them.
This year’s theme is #littlebylittle and it aims to show how even the smallest steps taken each day to improve aspects of your self-care can significantly make a difference to your mental and physical wellbeing.
Stress in the modern world
There’s no doubt that 21st-century lives are hugely impacted by stress, whether that comes from the demands of work, family life, social pressures, or financial worries. The ONS published its annual Quality of Life study last May, and it highlights some sobering facts.
Only 23.3% of people surveyed reported they had high levels of satisfaction with their life. That had decreased by 2% since the study was carried out the previous year.
Just 33.8% of the same cohort felt they had low levels of anxiety. So there’s potentially many people with high stress levels – going unchecked.
How do you know if you’re stressed?
Typically, there are four areas in which stress can affect us. Each of them has its own set of symptoms.
- Cognitive: You may experience memory problems – unable to concentrate, or have brain fog. Self-doubt is common, too.
- Emotional: Feeling depressed and anxious, moody, irritable, panicky, and overwhelmed are signs of emotional stress.
- Physical: Chest pain, indigestion, IBS symptoms, and raised blood pressure are signals that long-term stress is affecting your physical health.
- Behavioural: These include ‘crutches’ we might use to make us feel relaxed, like increasing the amount of alcohol we drink. Poor sleep or sleeping too much, feeling like we’ve lost our ‘joie de vivre’ and sense of humour can be outcomes.
What are the impacts of unmanaged stress?
Not dealing with feelings of everyday pressure can lead to long-term health challenges and physical health problems such as:
- high blood pressure
- heart and cardiovascular disease
- digestive issues like IBS
- obesity
- diabetes.
It’s important to seek medical help if you feel you’re at risk of any of these.
Practical strategies or stress management
Here at PHP, we take a holistic approach to wellbeing and health – and stress management is a big part of this.
There are some handy ways to combat its effects:
- Prioritising self-care
Taking time out every day to do one or two things that make you happy – whether that’s a walk in the fresh air or some quiet time with a good book and cup of tea. - Mindfulness techniques for mental wellbeing
Learning how to stay in the present is vitally important. - Setting boundaries
It isn’t selfish to be firm if you don’t want to commit to something. It can actually be a freeing feeling to say ‘no’.
How PHP supports stress-free healthcare
We want everyone to have the best possible – and stress-free experience – when they use PHP's services.
Our patient care system offers:
- great convenience
- time-efficient delivery of treatments with AI logistics.
Patients having their medications on schedule and able to consult with a practitioner or pharmacist when needed, removes any negative stress they might experience.
Seeking support and participating in Stress Awareness Month activities
Everyone needs to know that they’re not alone. There are proactive steps to take if stress is starting to feel overwhelming. Talk to friends, colleagues, and loved ones – build up a support network of people you trust. Sometimes, opening up a conversation is all it takes. Out of little acorns, mighty oaks grow.
Do seek assistance from GPs, and mental health professionals to find out what resources are available for you, if stress is unmanageable.
Use the hashtags #nationalstressawarenessmonth, #littlebylittle, and #PHPsupportsNSAW to let us know what stress awareness month activities you’re up to.
