Article 2 November 2022 Stress Awareness Day: Taking steps to eliminate stress Today is Stress Awareness Day, a day to take a step back and reflect on this very normal, but often unsettling feeling which we all experience. On a day-to-day basis, we all go through stressful experiences, and in small doses this can actually act to motivate us. However, when we’re faced with continual stress or a lack of coping mechanisms to respond to stress, it can have a negative impact on our mental wellbeing. We each have a ‘stress bucket’ which is being dripped into with the daily stressors that surround us; building a good resource bank for dealing with stress can be transformative in the long-term, helping to our ‘buckets’ from overflowing. We have created a worksheet so you can put the stress bucket concept into practise. It encourages you to consider your stressors, the unhealthy coping mechanisms that might currently be in place, and what you can change to relieve future stress. When you’re next feeling stressed, consider: Getting it off your chest – talk to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, family member or colleague Heading outside – getting closer to nature with a bit of exercise can be a great mood booster Resting well – a good night’s sleep can ease off negative feelings, helping you to feel more confident ahead of a new day Do you have a top tip to add to this list? Share your strategies in the comments below – your advice could reach someone who really benefits from it, offering a new perspective for coping with their stress. We want to ensure that you feel confident about seeking out the support you need, and we have resources in place to aid this. As it is Mitie Military Month, we also want to acknowledge the particular experiences of any Mitie veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can occur in response to a sudden, unexpected experiences. At Mitie we want to support our colleagues as much as possible; our Learning Hub is accessible 24/7 for all colleagues, and contains some great engaging wellbeing courses. Today we want to highlight our Dealing with Stress module, looking at sources of stress, behavioural and health indicators, and ways you can reduce your stress levels. Log into Learning Hub, click on ‘All courses’ and look for the ‘Physical & Mental Wellbeing’ category to browse through our catalogue. You can also access our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through their website or by calling 0800 111 6387. The EAP is available to support you on a whole range of topics; you can type the term ‘stress’ into the search bar and view all related content. If you need urgent support during work hours, you can also contact a Mental Health First Aider. For more information on the support services available, visit the Wellbeing Hub.
