Stress Awareness Month April 2026: Taking Time to Protect Your Wellbeing

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural reaction to pressure or perceived threats. When we experience stress, our body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, preparing us to respond quickly, often called the “fight or flight” response.

While this can be useful in short term situations, helping us stay alert and focused, ongoing or chronic stress can start to impact both our physical and mental health.

Common Causes of Stress

Stress can be triggered by many different factors, including:

• Work pressures and deadlines

• Financial concerns

• Family responsibilities

• Health worries

• Major life changes

• Lack of sleep or poor work life balance

Everyone experiences stress differently, and what feels overwhelming to one person may feel manageable to another.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Recognising the signs early is an important step towards managing stress effectively. Symptoms may include:

Physical symptoms like:

• Headaches

• Muscle tension

• Fatigue

• Digestive issues

• Changes in appetite

• Difficulty sleeping

Emotional and behavioural symptoms:

• Feeling overwhelmed or anxious

• Irritability

• Low mood

• Difficulty concentrating

• Withdrawing from others

If stress is left unmanaged, it may contribute to longer term health concerns such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety or depression.

Ways to Manage Stress:

While it may not always be possible to remove the source of stress, there are steps you can take to improve how you cope with it:

1. Prioritise Rest and Sleep – Aim for consistent sleep routines and give your body time to recover.

2. Stay Physically Active – Regular exercise can help reduce stress hormones and boost mood.

3. Talk About How You’re Feeling – Speaking with friends, family or a professional can provide reassurance and perspective.

4. Set Realistic Boundaries – Learning to say no and managing expectations can reduce unnecessary pressure.

5. Practice Relaxation Techniques – Breathing exercises, mindfulness, yoga or simply taking time out each day can help calm the nervous system.

If stress is affecting your health, speaking to a healthcare professional can provide guidance. Remember, it’s normal to seek help, and there are organisations available for support when life feels challenging:

• Stress Management Society
• Mind
• Samaritans