The Stress Management Society has launched #LittleByLittle Campaign to mark National Stress Awareness Month 2024, highlighting the power of small, everyday actions to combat workplace stress and improve mental wellbeing.
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April in the UK since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for the modern stress epidemic. The last few years have been the most challenging, and since 2020 many people have been struggling with their mental health. In fact, employee stress around the world remains at a historic high.
MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
The statistics paint a worrying picture of the current state of mental health for workers worldwide. For example:
- Over six in 10 employees are still suffering from burnout.
- Seven out of 10 companies report an increase in mental health issues.
- Nearly half of Gen Z (46%) and four in 10 millennials (39%) say they feel stressed all or most of the time, and stress levels are even higher among women, LGBTQ+ professionals, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities, reveals recent research.
Despite these challenges, there remains a significant stigma surrounding discussions about mental health in the workplace. Many employees, especially younger workers, fear discussing workplace stress with their bosses. In fact, one in six UK employees are worried that raising mental health concerns with their bosses could put them at risk of losing their job.
UNHEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS
Beyond the immediate mental health concerns, stress can also lead individuals towards unhealthy coping mechanisms such as increased alcohol consumption, poor dietary habits, or smoking. In fact, a new study from Headspace found that 71% of employees attribute workplace stress to the end of personal relationship to end. Additionally, 77% said work stress has poorly impacted their physical health, with nearly 40% confirming that it contributed to serious mental health challenges, such as substance use. These habits only serve to exacerbate the cycle of stress and exhaustion.
Recognising the toll that information overload takes on our wellbeing, the #LittleByLittle Campaign emphasises the importance of simple, manageable changes that seamlessly integrate into daily routines. By fostering open conversations and raising awareness, we aim to create a supportive environment where everyone can prioritise their mental well-being, one small step at a time.
WELLBEING FOUNDATIONS
“This is why we want to emphasise the importance of small, consistent habits and activities that can have a huge benefit to your wellbeing over time,” shared Neil Shah, Chief De-Stressing Officer at the Stress Management Society. “Much like the single bricks in a sturdy house, each small step towards stress management contributes to a stronger foundation of mental wellbeing. Over time, the accumulation of these small, consistent efforts leads to remarkable outcomes.”
The #LittleByLittle campaign encourages individuals to integrate manageable adjustments into their daily routines. This could be as simple as ensuring you take a walk during your lunch break, doing 10 minutes of stretching each day, or spending time listening to music you love. These small actions each day can be mental, emotional, or physical, as long as they serve as small building blocks in order to foster good mental health, according to the Stress Management Society.
CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING
Connection and community are also at the heart of the #LittleByLittle campaign, which also aims to cultivate a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness. Find out more about the Stress Management Society’s campaign in the video below.
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