Practice News

Stress Awareness Day – 6 November 2024

National Stress Awareness Day was set up with the mission of raising awareness of the effects of psychological distress in the workplace and strategies to address it. The day also aims to reduce stigma of stress in the workplace. Prolonged stress can lead to burnout increasingly the likelihood of physical and mental health issues which may lead to time off work.

Be aware of the symptoms and typical signs of stress, not just in yourself, but in those you manage.

This list is not exhaustive:

• missing deadlines

• making uncharacteristic mistakes

• becoming bad tempered, irritable, or cynical

• tearfulness

• becoming withdrawn

• producing uncharacteristically poor work

• taking little interest in their appearance or hygiene

• taking time off sick or lateness to work

If you recognise these symptoms in yourself or a member of your team, discuss it with a manager or the HR Team for support.

What should I do if I feel stressed?

If your stress is the result of some aspect of your work, you need to discuss this with your line/service manager without delay to see if the cause of the problem can be addressed. A discussion with your manager about your work may result in your manager being able to help you adjust your working environment, allow for your work to be re-prioritised to ensure that you are able to concentrate on the important tasks that deliver results, or enable work to be re-prioritised and reallocated within the team. Workloads and pressures should be discussed at your regular one-to-one meetings.

If the cause of your stress is from outside the workplace, it may be possible for work to provide some support during difficult times. For example, more flexible working hours.

Easy ways to prevent stress

• Taking time out to relax may not seem easy in a busy day, but it is essential for your wellbeing.
• Everyone needs time to recharge and to get events into perspective.
• Take your lunch break – the whole half an hour.
• Think about a review of your work-life balance and working hours.
• Take annual leave throughout the year to ensure that you are having a break from work.
• Work to ensure that you personally have a healthy work-life balance which is good for both you and your employer; it makes you more productive and creative.
• Take care of your own health through diet, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness.