b'HEALTH CHECKApril Marks the Start Of Stress Awareness MonthStress Awareness Month has been held everyWe need to understand what is causing stress April since 1992 to increase public awarenessand learn what steps can be taken to eliminate about both the causes and cures of our modernor manage these stress sources. Unmanaged stress epidemic. Millions of us around the UKstress could cause serious mental and physical are experiencing high levels of stress and it ishealth conditions. Stress is a significant factor damaging our health. Stress is one of the greatin mental health problems such as anxiety and public health challenges of our time, but it stilldepression. isnt being taken as seriously as physical healthStress can also be linked to physical healthSigns of Stressconcerns.problems such as heart diseases, immuneHow you might feel:According to the Mental Health Foundation,system issues, insomnia, and digestive 74% of adults living in the UK felt overwhelmedproblems.Anxious,afraid,angryoraggressive,sad, or unable to cope due to stress at some pointirritable, frustrated and/or depressed.in 2020.How could you reduce your own stress levels? How your body might react:If youre stressed you may experience headaches, Take Time nausea,indigestion,digestiveproblemssuch as constipation, bloating or diarrhoea, shallow Do you ever feel like youre getting caught upbreathingorhyperventilating,sweating,heart in a whirlwind? Take time to slow down, reviewpalpitations, aches and pains.your responsibilities, prioritise your time and set achievable goals. This will help you identify whatHow you might behave:is important and the best place to spend yourIf youre stressed, you may behave differently. most valuable resource, time. Typical behaviour includes withdraw from other Tune In peopleorsnapatthem,beingindecisiveor inflexible,betearful,haveproblemsgetting How are you feeling? Are you happy, content,tosleeporstayingasleep,experiencesexual sad, lonely, blue, tired etc? Use this knowledgeproblems,smoke,drinkalcoholortakedrugs as a foundation and a way to identify your needs.more than usual.UnderstandingyourselfandyouremotionsisIfstressislong-lasting,youmaynoticeyour a key skill that provides a roadmap to movingsleep and memory are affected. Youre eating forward.Differentactivitiescanbeusedtohabits may change, or you may feel less inclined activate the happiness chemicals in our brain.toexercise.Someresearchhasalsolinked Be Present long-term stress to gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or stomach Looking forward can be scary in a world withulcers, as well as conditions like cardiovascular so much uncertainty. Its impossible to predictdisease.everything that will happen so be present now. Identify the factors within your control as wellKelly Group Mental Health First as those outside of it and focus your energy. If thinking ahead is causing anxiety, break the dayAidersinto smaller chunks and take it one step at a time.If you feel you need any assistance with stress, its symptoms or any other mental health related Get Enough Sleepissues please contact our mental health first aid-ers listed below;Most adults need 7 or more hours of goodNuneaton:Lauren.Wickenden@Kelly.co.ukquality sleep on a regular schedule each night. Mark.Brien@Kelly.co.ukGetting a good amount of sleep each nightWembley: Carol.OShea@Kelly.co.ukwill help you reduce stress and improve your mood while thinking more clearly at work.Dunstable:Kelly.Pritchard@Kelly.co.ukCharlotte.Spicer@Kelly.co.ukBe More ActiveKezia.Reid@Kelly.co.ukGo for a walk: even if you dont feel like it, youBrimsdown: Karisma.Bhoyrub@Kelly.co.ukmust have a change of sceneryVitamin DAndreea.Toca@Kelly.co.ukis good for your mood and immunity. Studies have shown that using your lunch breaks to get out and about can have a positive impact onClick Here For Free Resources & everything from concentration and creativity to your overall enjoyment of the work youre doing.GuidesThe Networker Spring 2022 7.'