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It’s Stress Awareness Month this April, so what better time to have some ‘you’ time?
Are you aware of the stressors that affect you and how that impact can affect your daily life? There are very many of them, and different people react to different stressors in different ways. But let’s face it, there’s not much greater stressor than what we’ve all been through this last year as Covid-19 has caused lockdowns, loss, and pain. But it’s caused success, and happiness too. The World hasn’t stopped turning, it’s turning differently, and that change can have a huge impact on us as individuals, both personally and professionally.
The Stress Management Society has created an Individual Stress Test. Take a look here
So let’s take a look at some statistics.
A study conducted across the UK by the Stress Management Society and Huawei AppGalley identified that:
- 65% felt more stressed since Covid-a9 restrictions began
- 53% felt more anxious than usual
- 44% were more depressed than usual
- The study reported that the three main causes of concern for people are: disconnection, uncertainty, and worrying loss of control.
- Females reported higher levels of stress than men
- Full-time workers, especially front-line workers, noticed an increase in stress levels.
Interestingly, due to restrictions on movement, many people turned to technology as a form of escapism, entertainment, or for socialising with friends and family. Many people reported using apps to distress or motivate themselves, with the 25-34 age group utilising technology for this purpose, higher than other age groups.
However, technology can be a double-edged sword. As a tool that can over engage people, and make people too available. The evidence in the report suggests, however, that as a tool that is applied strategically, it can be used to positively affect individual wellbeing.
A study on the impact of stress and mental health as a result of the pandemic
What’s so important about Stress Awareness Month?
Stress Awareness Month is perfect timing to reflect on the last twelve months and take a look inward at how we’ve all coped, what strategies we might have employed, and how we feel right now. Perfect timing because our way of life changed almost overnight. Massive change to our freedoms and the way we live, lockdowns, the seemingly unrelenting uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, stress, anxiety, fear, and a whole host of other emotions. And now we’re about to go through another shift in the way we live as we begin to unlock. The emotional response to this change could be just as pronounced. Fear, uncertainty, and all the “what ifs” could be among the stressors that we face, mixed with excitement and relief that finally things are returning to normal. Whatever normal is.
So Stress Awareness Month is at the centre of two maelstroms- perfect storms of emotional response to lockdown and unlocking.
We’ve created some resources to help you assess, understand and manage your stress. Take a look here
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