International Stress Awareness Week 7-11 November
How can you get involved?
International Stress Awareness Week is a major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues. It was created in 2018 to raise awareness about stress prevention. The theme this year is Working Together to Build Resilience and Reduce Stress.
Symptoms of stress
The symptoms associated with stress vary from person to person. Continued high-stress levels can seriously impact your employee’s physical and emotional health. Therefore, your organisation must tackle stress in the workplace and effectively support your workforce.
Symptoms of stress will often accumulate until the individual is forced to take notice of them. To help recognise when your employees may be struggling, we have provided a list highlighting some of the common symptoms associated with stress:
- Anxious, nervous and afraid;
- Reduced focus and concentration;
- Lack of confidence;
- Mood swings;
- Gaining or losing weight;
- Increased fatigue; and
- Increased reliance on alcohol and substances.
These issues are not exclusively work-related - employees may experience them because of external factors. However, regardless of the source, stress can affect every aspect of the individual’s life: both personal and professional.
What are the most common causes of stress?
- Pressure to Succeed – 60% Young Adults
- Self-Image – 49% of Young Adult
- Health – 36% of Adults
- Body Image – 36% of Women & 23% of Men
- Housing – 32% of Young Adults
- Work – 26% of Adults
- Debt – 22% of Adults
Reducing the stigma around stress and mental health
The International Stress Management Association members in the UK and internationally will be engaging in dialogue with businesses and individuals in their local areas, as well as delivering online or offline workshops and presentations, so that their key messages about raising awareness and reducing the stigma around stress and mental health can be heard locally, regionally and globally. They invite you to take part in the conversation and share your thoughts on -
- How we can all help people who face mental health challenges;
- How employers are responding to stress and mental health issues;
- How stress management professionals can help to alleviate stress How workplace changes such as hybrid working are affecting wellbeing and levels of resilience;and
- How those suffering with stress and mental health issues can access advice and support.
