Stress Awareness Month 2022

Since 1992, April has been Stress Awareness Month in the UK. It’s held to raise awareness of the causes and cures for the stress that many of us simply accept as a part of modern life, and to help break the stigma when it comes to talking about stress and mental health both in the workplace and in the broader social world.

This year’s theme is Community, chosen because it takes into account the challenges that society has faced during the past two years of pandemic living conditions and seeks to raise awareness of the dangers of social isolation and loneliness that many of us might be feeling at the moment. The pandemic has had a detrimental effect on millions of people’s mental health worldwide, and community bonds at every level of society are still fractured from so long spent apart. Working in isolation, travel bans, cancelled life events and staying in isolation to protect loved ones has been difficult for many of us, and this year’s Stress Awareness Month wants to put a focus back on bringing people together where it’s safe and legal to do so.

Although in many places all over the world restrictions are ending and people are coming back to the places that they used to frequent, all kinds of communities are still very much in the unsteady stages of very early recovery. Many people are uncertain as to whether we’ve truly seen the last of lockdown measures and social curbs, and perhaps even more of us feel socially awkward when we do enter back into a community setting as we’ve spent the past two years communicating in person the most extensively with the man who delivers our take-out. But according to information shared by Stress.org.uk, people who are more socially connected to family, friends, or other strong communities (such as a sports club, a workplace or a religious institution) are not only mentally and physically healthier, but they tend to be happier and live longer too. People who live in areas with high levels of social cohesion tend to report a much lower instance of mental health problems compared to those who live in areas with low levels of social cohesion, regardless of where on the affluence scale that that area sits.

How you can get back into your communities this April...

• Take time out to spend with family and friends – if you’re still uncertain about socialising and the potential for contracting Covid-19, the warmer weather makes socialising outside an easy and safer option to reconnect with our loved ones, and many people still opt to wear masks and leave space between them when they gather to keep people safe and comfortable.
• Look into volunteering- not only does this give you a chance to get out and meet more people, it also has the ability to shift your internal focus from inwards, to outwards- and this often creates a positive mental buzz from doing some good in the world.
• If you’re still working hybrid-style or remotely, try taking a few days in the office to touch base with colleagues you might not have spoken to much in your daily Teams or Slack interactions. Not spoken to Bill in accounts for a while? Maybe he's had a new puppy, and has a phone full of pictures of a golden retriever in a paddling pool he's been itching to show somebody.
• Join or re-join clubs and hobby groups that align with your interests- whether you’re fun-running or studying Renaissance portraiture, it’s a great way to feel a part of a group that has shared values. And look for groups that are just starting up, too – that way, you’re cutting off the awkwardness you might feel joining a social group that’s already established.
• If you are still isolating or taking things slowly to protect your health, don’t forget that you can still make space for community in your life in a virtual way, too. From connecting remotely with friends to chat and play games to entering whole new business or shared interest communities via online learning platforms or business networking, it’s never been easier to be part of a community without leaving the comfort of your sofa, too.
• And of course, if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or have any other concerns about your mental wellbeing, take time out to chat to a friend or family member and perhaps a professional such as a doctor or a therapist who’ll be able to point you in the right direction for diagnosis, support and resources.

The Stress Management Society are the organisation at the heart of Stress Awareness Month, and they’re encouraging us to put our wellbeing first and get involved with their 30 day challenge where we pick one action each for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing to carry out every day. It’s all about choosing actions that can have a positive impact on your loived experience, and developing a habit over the course of the month. It’s often the little things that can really make a difference, and something as simple as developing some positive routines and even just talking and sharing about how you’re feeling can actually do a lot of good.

You can find the challenge and the resources that you need to get involved on the Stress Awareness Month campaign page here. And if you're interested in or are passionate about the ways in which neurodiversity, dyslexia and mental health interact and how you can foster great support, stay tuned to the Succeed With Dyslexia blog this May, as we'll be bringing you a whole month of focusing on the mental health needs of our global community.