30 day stress awareness challenge
April is Stress Awareness Month and the HSCP is highlighting this to support residents who are experiencing increased levels of stress and to raise awareness of resources and organisations that could help them.
Research has found that 65% of people in the UK have felt more stressed since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020*.
Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems.
The Stress Management Society is hosting a 30 day challenge over April to help people identify and manage stress. The challenge encourages participants to pick one action each for their Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing to carry out every day.
The society states that it takes 30 days to turn actions into habits, which is why this is a month-long programme which aims to maximise your chances of turning useful knowledge and techniques into positive behavioural change.
The HSCP is encouraging its staff and residents to sign up to the challenge at www.stress.org.uk
Councillor Caroline Bamforth, Chair of the East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, said: "The last year has been incredibly stressful for everyone. The loss of loved ones, isolation, the uncertainty of employment, home schooling, missing loved ones, the stress of trying to protect ourselves from the virus, stress at work and changes such as home working - there have been so many additional stresses this year and it's really important our residents know that it's ok if you're not ok.
"If you are feeling higher levels of stress or just not feeling like yourself, please reach out to a friend or family member, an organisation like Breathing Space or if your stress feels unmanageable please go to your GP.
"We hope in highlighting Stress Awareness Month we will help residents to manage stress by being mindful of triggers, create little habits that can help alleviate stress and to encourage some well-deserved self-care."
Residents looking for advice and resources to help them manage stress can go to www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/help-with-stress
Research has found that 65% of people in the UK have felt more stressed since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020*.
Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia and digestive problems.
The Stress Management Society is hosting a 30 day challenge over April to help people identify and manage stress. The challenge encourages participants to pick one action each for their Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing to carry out every day.
The society states that it takes 30 days to turn actions into habits, which is why this is a month-long programme which aims to maximise your chances of turning useful knowledge and techniques into positive behavioural change.
The HSCP is encouraging its staff and residents to sign up to the challenge at www.stress.org.uk
Councillor Caroline Bamforth, Chair of the East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, said: "The last year has been incredibly stressful for everyone. The loss of loved ones, isolation, the uncertainty of employment, home schooling, missing loved ones, the stress of trying to protect ourselves from the virus, stress at work and changes such as home working - there have been so many additional stresses this year and it's really important our residents know that it's ok if you're not ok.
"If you are feeling higher levels of stress or just not feeling like yourself, please reach out to a friend or family member, an organisation like Breathing Space or if your stress feels unmanageable please go to your GP.
"We hope in highlighting Stress Awareness Month we will help residents to manage stress by being mindful of triggers, create little habits that can help alleviate stress and to encourage some well-deserved self-care."
Residents looking for advice and resources to help them manage stress can go to www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/help-with-stress
* https://www.stress.org.uk/stressawarenessmonth/
