Stress Awareness toolkit
Public Health North Lincolnshire
Stress Awareness Toolkit
#BeTheChange
What is stress?
Stress is the body’s natural reaction to pressure, challenges, or change, and it affects both the mind and the body. When something feels demanding or uncertain, the brain releases hormones that put the body into a “ready for action” mode: your heart beats faster, your muscles tense, and your thoughts speed up. This response can be useful in short bursts, like helping you meet a deadline or stay alert in a tricky situation, but it becomes unhelpful when it lasts too long or feels overwhelming.
What does stress feel like?
Stress often feels like your mind and body are being pushed beyond what feels manageable, creating a mix of physical tension and emotional strain.
People commonly notice their heart beating faster, their muscles tightening, or their breathing becoming shallow, alongside a sense of being on edge or unable to switch off. It can make everyday tasks feel heavier than usual, and concentration or decision‐making can become harder.
Emotionally, stress may show up as irritability, worry, or a sense of being overwhelmed, even when nothing specific seems wrong. These experiences are common, but if they linger or start affecting daily life, speaking with a healthcare professional can help you understand what is going on and explore support that fits your situation.
What is Stress Awareness month?
Stress Awareness Month has been observed every April since 1992 as a dedicated campaign to increase understanding of stress, its causes, and its impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Led by the Stress Management Society, the initiative has grown into a global movement encouraging individuals and organisations to recognise stress and take proactive steps toward healthier living. Over the years, each campaign has been shaped by a unifying theme, such as 2024’s #LittleByLittle and 2025’s #LeadWithLove, to inspire meaningful action and reflection.
For 2026, the theme is #BeTheChange; a call for personal agency and everyday actions that collectively create healthier, more resilient communities. The Stress Management Society describes this theme as a bold step forward, encouraging people to take ownership of their wellbeing and contribute to positive change around them.
Inspired, in part, by the well-known idea of becoming the change you wish to see, the 2026 campaign emphasises small actions with big impact, empowering individuals to transform both their own lives and those of others.
#BETHECHANGE
Stress Awareness Month is a great time to think about the small things that make a big difference:
- You can #BeTheChange for yourself by slowing down and noticing when you need a breather
- You can #BeTheChange at work by making it normal to talk about stress instead of hiding it
- You can #BeTheChange for others by checking in on others and sharing tips to lighten the load
- You can #BeTheChange for children and young people by modelling calm habits and reminding them it is okay to ask for help.
Research highlights
Millions of us around the UK are experiencing high levels of stress and it has damaging effects on our health. Stress is one of the great public health challenges of our time, but it still is not being taken as seriously as physical health concerns.
Stress is a significant factor in mental health problems including anxiety and depression. It is also linked to physical health problems like heart disease, problems with our immune system, insomnia, and digestive problems. Individually we need to understand what is causing us personal stress and learn what steps we can take to reduce it for ourselves and those around us. You can find out more about stress on the Stress.org website.
- MentalHealth.org.uk suggest that 51% of adults who felt stressed reported feeling depressed, and 61% reported feeling anxious
- In 2024/25, there were an estimated 964,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. This is according to the Health and Safety Executive’s 2025 report: Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety statistics in Great Britain, 2025
- Adults aged 25–34 are now the age group most likely to experience high or extreme levels of stress in the past year
- Young workers aged 18–24 continue to face a great deal of strain in the workplace, with 93% experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year as detailed on mentalhealth.org.uk‘s information on burnout
Resources
Take this time to reflect on your day-to-day stresses. How is stress impacting your daily life?
The following links may be useful if stress is making it difficult for you to cope and you need support:
- For ideas on how to manage stress and get some free resources, visit The Stress Management Society
- The Mental Health Foundation have tips on how to manage stress, and you can find more information on their website
- Visit the Mind website, which looks at signs and symptoms of stress and how to better manage it and build your resilience
- There is lots of helpful information, links to organisations that can offer support, and resources relating to topics that may be causing you stress on mentalhealth.org.uk
- At the Jordan Legacy website, you can listen to their interview with Dr Sonia Hutton-Taylor, where they discuss the link between burnout and suicide which includes information on burnout, caused by long-term or severe stress
- Anxiety UK, have a DIY self-diagnosis and an understanding Anxiety guide.
NHS Talking Therapies
Talking Therapies from NHS RDaSH offer a range of different treatments which can take place on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting, whichever suits you best. We also offer support for adults living with long-term health conditions and who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
NHS RDaSH Talking Therapies can help, through a range of mental health therapies: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) person-centred experiential counselling for depression couples therapy for depression eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing interpersonal therapy guided self-help group therapy. You can self-refer via their website or call 03000 216165.
North Lincolnshire Mind
At North Lincolnshire Mind, we are here to support you on your recovery journey and whenever you need help with your mental health. We believe everyone should have access to good mental health support when they need it. We provide a safe and supportive environment and offer a range of services, including one-to-one confidential listening support, recovery-focused groups, and social support sessions designed to improve wellbeing and help people feel more connected. You can find out more about the services offered by North Lincolnshire Mind on their website.
Thorpey’s Bat and Chat
North Lincolnshire Mind are excited to be launching Thorpey’s Bat & Chat, a brand new 12-week programme designed to support mental health through activity, connection and learning something new. Delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire Cricket, this friendly and structured group combines the fun, social side of softball cricket with practical tips and tools to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Sessions will take place at Central Community Centre, Scunthorpe, DN15 6QU starting Tuesday 21 April for 12 weeks,1.30 – 3.30 pm. The programme is free to attend, but places are limited. If you would like to find out more or sign up by calling 01724 279 500 or email via: admin@nlmind.org
North Lincolnshire Mind Recovery College
North Lincolnshire Mind Recovery College Recovery College offers a range of free courses for everyone to help benefit your well-being; that focus on recovery, mental health education, and self-help strategies and provide access to good mental health information and support. Our courses are accessible to everyone aged over 17, who live in North Lincolnshire and include the upcoming Understanding and Managing Stress, Practicing Assertiveness & Managing Mental Health at Work and many more. Please note that our Recovery College courses are delivered in a hybrid way, so you can join our courses in person as well as online. If you are interested in attending any of these courses, please come to one of our enrolment days at NL Mind office on the first working Monday of the month. The next enrolment day will be on 13 April between 9 am and 4 pm. Please be aware as there are a limited number of spaces available on each course; places will be given on a first come, first serve basis. For more information please visit MIND recovery college website.
ONGO Talk Mental Health Support
Ongo Talk is an affordable counselling and life coaching service that helps people who have a range of mental health and psychological issues to develop their confidence, skills, and wellbeing to enable them to move towards improving their life. Free counselling is available to all Ongo Tenants and those engaging with our skills and personal development coaches. Further information on the ONGO Talk Mental Health Service can be found on the Ongo website.
Workplace Health and Wellbeing
Creating healthy, supportive workplaces is essential for both employees and organisations. Work can provide structure, purpose, and social connection, but when pressures build without the right support, it can also contribute to stress and burnout. Investing in workplace health and wellbeing helps employees feel supported, valued, and able to perform at their best. Organisations that prioritise wellbeing often see benefits such as improved productivity, stronger staff retention, and a more positive workplace culture. At Invest in North Lincolnshire, supporting the health and wellbeing of employees is recognised as an important part of building successful and resilient businesses. Thriving businesses are built on thriving people. Their new Health and Wellbeing page highlights:
- The business case for workplace wellbeing
- How supportive environments help employees perform at their best.
- Why investing in people strengthens organisational growth.
- The advantages of choosing North Lincolnshire as a place to grow your business.
Explore the Workplace Health and Wellbeing website.
North Lincolnshire 5 Ways to Wellbeing
Good mental health is important to help us all live a healthier, happier life. There are some simple steps that you can take in order to improve how you feel each day, they do not take up much time, and they do not have to cost anything either. They are known as the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and they are:
- Be Active
- Connect
- Take Notice
- Keep Learning
- Give
More information on the Five Ways to Wellbeing from North Lincolnshire Council.