Stress Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the causes, symptoms, and management of stress. It also aims to promote healthy coping mechanisms and encourage individuals to seek support when needed. In 2025, the theme is Lead With Love, to encourage everyone to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion, and acceptance, no matter the challenges we face.
Stress and poor mental health are some of the biggest public health challenges we face. There is there no real health without mental health, and stress can lead to numerous problems. From physical ailments like heart disease, insomnia, digestive issues, immune system challenges, and serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Stress Awareness Month is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress and to remove the stigma around mental health. A time to talk about stress, and open up about our mental and emotional state with friends, families and colleagues.
This month, the most crucial thing you can do when you are stressed or anxious is to make sure you are continuing to look after yourself. Make time to relax when you need to and learn to say no to requests that are too much for you.
Some steps you can take to help ameliorate stress:
- Talk about Stress and its effects: Let's work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues.
- Share your coping mechanisms: If something has worked for you why not share it. It might benefit someone you care about and in the meantime, it might help you take your focus off your own challenges.
- Be kind to those who are stressed and anxious: Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at some point, so treat others going through it with compassion and empathy.
- Look after yourself: We all need to think more about self–care. Take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy. Don’t forget to exercise and eat well.
Visit The American Institute of Stress website to learn more and access resources.