MRM.COM : Stress Awareness Month

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Preventing and managing stress
Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month takes place every April. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the causes of stress, the negative effects stress can have on the body and mind, and the coping mechanisms each of us can employ to help manage symptoms.

What is stress and why is it important? Stress is a response to demands on our bodies and lives, a response to crises and fears. It is the sense of being under too much mental or emotional pressure, leaving people tense and emotional, and feeling overwhelmed and/or unable to cope.

Stress can affect every part of us – from how we behave, to how much sleep we get and how well our immune system works. It can be caused by a sudden traumatic event or simply by the expectations of daily life. According to the NHS, work, relationships and money problems are some of the most common triggers of stress.

Most people will experience stress at some point in their lives, but constant or extreme stress can have significant consequences. Stress is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because although its effects are not immediately apparent, if left unchecked, it can lead to various serious health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

If stress becomes overwhelming, it can cause a host of mental health problems as well as emotional exhaustion and physical illness, affecting our work, relationships, families, and every aspect of our lives. When someone is suffering from negative or overwhelming stress, they may not act or react normally in certain situations, for example, when driving or becoming involved in an argument, with sometimes disastrous consequences.

There are many ways to minimise stress such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, talking about your feelings with friends, colleagues and loved ones, and dedicating time to relaxing. If you are suffering from stress, you can find help and resources on the internet, or you can seek advice from your GP or health care professional.

This month, we will be talking about ways to minimise the causes and effects of stress and raising awareness of the tools and resources available to manage it.

Help and resources

Our First Class Support service is a confidential and independent helpline for employees, and their direct family members, to turn to if they have any problems or need advice. The service is free and available 24/7. Call First Class Support on 0800 6888 777 or via http://www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Log on or register for our Feeling First Class wellbeing zone (using the code FFC1 to set up a new account) to explore a range of tools designed to help you get active, healthier and feeling better. Packed with hints, tips and useful tools, you can monitor your wellbeing and get advice on improving your physical and mental health.

The Rowland Hill Fund offers financial aid to colleagues, pensioners and their families in times of need. The Fund works with the confidential First Class Support helpline, providing a wide range of skills, expertise and resources. The helpline is available 24/7 on 0800 688 8777, (option 1 then option 4).

On our intranet, managers can access the Feeling First Class – Stress page for a confidential online ‘Stress Tool,’ as well as stress guidance, support and training, and the Feeling First Class – Mental Health page for access to internal and external mental health support services, guides, eLearning courses, podcasts, videos and manager’s toolkit.

For urgent support in a crisis: call the Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123, or in the case of a suicide or other emergency situation, ring 999, or 9999 from a Royal Mail landline.