April marks the start of Stress Awareness Month in the UK.
It has been held every April, since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. The last two years have been the most challenging, and since 2020 many people have been struggling and seeking support. This year’s theme is #choosehope because “hope is imperative to find a way through and beyond our challenges” and “inspires us to take action”, according to the Stress Management Society.
This year, the UK’s Stress Management Society wants us to look deeper into what actions one can take to create a change in their personal and professional life, and reduce stress.
The cost-of-living crisis, high inflation and rising prices, and burnout are just some of the top causes of stress at work for senior managers and leaders, according to a recent survey. Around a third of senior managers find the ongoing cost-of-living crisis (30%), high inflation and rising prices (29%), the most stressful aspects of their work lives. Furthermore, one in five struggle with high levels of exhaustion or burnout (22%), their workload and to-do lists (20%) and unfinished work tasks (20%).
WORKPLACE STRESS
In short, it’s much more important now for employers to provide staff with adequate mental wellbeing support. Stress in the workplace can affect every aspect of an organisation, from absenteeism rates to interpersonal relationships. Changes in individuals can include:
- Extroverts becoming withdrawn.
- Becoming more accident prone.
- Becoming short-tempered.
- A dramatic change in weight.
Signs that a workforce are stressed can manifest itself as:
- High staff turnover.
- Increased absenteeism and sickness levels.
- Long-hours work culture.
- Employees not taking their full holiday entitlement.
- Low productivity and efficiency.
Once again, this year, the Stress Management Society is recommending employers to encourage staff to take its 30 Day Challenge. The challenge requires individuals to pick one action each for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing to carry out every day, over the course of a month; to maximise the chances of turning these techniques into positive behavioural change to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Click here for more information.
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The cost-of-living crisis, high inflation and rising prices, and burnout are the top causes of stress at work for senior managers and leaders, according to a new survey. Click here to continue reading.
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How to mitigate stress and poor mental health in the workplace.
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