International Stress Awareness Week (ISAW) is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of stress and its effects on health and wellbeing.

Today is International Stress Awareness Day and the 2024 theme is “Campaigning to Reduce Stress and Improve Wellbeing” 

International Stress Awareness Week also encourages open conversations about stress and mental well-being to reduce the stigma surrounding these topics and today, we are sharing resources and strategies for coping with stress in healthy ways.

Disability-related stress

According to studies, disabled people are more likely to struggle with stress and anxiety than non-disabled people.Stress can affect mood, body, relationships, self-esteem, and more.

Disability related stress can be caused by discrimination, inaccessibility, or other exclusionary experiences, it can also be due to the complexities of living with an impairment or coping with the treatments or effects of illness. And as with anyone else, it can be due to work, families, relationships and so much more.

NHS help

The NHS offers a number of resources to help people with stress, including:

• NHS Talking Therapies: Provides evidence-based psychological therapies for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself or ask your GP for more information. 
• Stress management groups or classes: Talking about your problems can help you identify them and learn ways to cope. You can speak to your GP to find out  more.
• Mental wellbeing audio guides: Free audio guides are available to listen to. 

Other things you can try to help with stress include:

• Talking to a friend, family member, or health professional 
• Practicing calming breathing exercises 
• Planning ahead for stressful events 
• Using time-management techniques 
• Repeating positive affirmations 
• Helping other people, such as through volunteering or community work 
• Breaking big tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks 

Do’s and Don’ts of stress

Do

• try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: [email protected] if you need someone to talk to
• find out more about 10 stress busters – including getting started with exercise and setting aside time for yourself
• use easy time-management techniques to help you take control
• use calming breathing exercises
• plan ahead for stressful days or events – planning long journeys or making a list of things to remember can really help
• consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
• listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides

Don’t

• do not try to do everything at once – set small targets you can easily achieve
• do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
• try not to tell yourself that you’re alone – most people feel stressed at some point in their life and support is available
• try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve stress – these can all contribute to poor mental health

Further information and support

• Mind – managing stress and building resilience: get advice to help you adapt and bounce back during difficult times
• Every Mind Matters – get your free Mind Plan: personalised mental wellbeing tips and advice to your email inbox
• Every Mind Matters – self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques: learn how to manage stress and worry, and boost your mental wellbeing

Non-urgent advice: see a GP if:

• you’re struggling to cope with stress
• things you’re trying yourself are not helping
• you would prefer to get a referral from a GP

Urgent advice: Call 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

• you need help urgently, but it’s not an emergency

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you or someone you know needs immediate help
• you have seriously harmed yourself 
• A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency

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