{"id":1641,"date":"2021-04-05T13:26:30","date_gmt":"2021-04-05T12:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aspirewell.co.uk\/?p=1641"},"modified":"2022-09-12T16:23:50","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T15:23:50","slug":"national-stress-awareness-month-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aspirewell.co.uk\/national-stress-awareness-month-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"National Stress Awareness Month 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Stress Awareness Month has taken place every April since 1992 to increase public awareness about the modern stress epidemic in the UK. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The ongoing pandemic has caused a collective feeling of disconnection, uncertainty and loss of control which has contributed to an increase in stress levels. Reports have identified that 65% of people have felt more stressed since COVID-19 restrictions began which means that Stress Awareness Month 2021 is more important than ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This year, there will be a 30 Day Challenge to pick actions for your Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing which you must carry out daily. These daily actions will soon turn into positive behavioural changes and habits which will continue long after the challenge has finished.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This month is also an opportunity to reduce the stigma of stress. You can help by opening up conversations with your friends, family and colleagues. Sharing your own personal experiences and effective coping mechanisms may benefit others by normalising feelings of stress and showing how it can be managed with the right tools.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is Stress? <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Everyone experiences stress from time to time and it can be a positive reaction that is extremely beneficial. For example, it makes us more alert in dangerous situations and can motivate us to achieve our goals. <\/span><\/span>However, when kept in this state for long periods of time, it can be detrimental to our health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Stress is a physical response to the body feeling like it is under attack, whether real or imagined, which causes it to switch to ‘fight or flight’ mode. Stressors can be any life event- big or small, positive or negative- such as a change in employment status, end of a relationship, or illness. The body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to this stimuli releases a mix of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body to fight. Stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways. However, signs that your body is responding to a stressful situation can involve the following:<\/p>