Published on: 11 April 2025
The main message from Stress Awareness Month 2025 is to ‘lead with love’ and to show kindness to yourself and others. That’s why, this April, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire want to remind you that self-care is an essential part of dealing with stress.
Stress is something everyone feels at times, especially when dealing with change or life challenges, such as money worries, work issues or relationship problems. It’s the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.
A little stress can be a good thing, as it helps us to get things done or focus on something that needs our attention. But experiencing long-term or severe stress can lead to feeling physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called "burnout". Some of the symptoms may appear obvious, but they aren’t always easy to spot.
Physical symptoms include dizziness, stomach problems, headaches, or hives and rashes on the skin. Mental indicators might be feeing angry, worried or overwhelmed. A change in behaviour can often be down to stress, too. People who are anxious might start to show signs short temper, have a change in eating or sleeping habits, or have a sudden inability to make a decisions.
There are many different approaches to dealing with stress, whether you are experiencing work, money, or relationship problems. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can help. Being more active, using breathing exercises or trying time management techniques can get you through a difficult day. Breaking up big tasked into smaller chunks may make life more manageable, too.
If they aren’t an option or haven’t helped in the first instance, then contact NHS 111 or talk to a medical professional such as your GP. In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, you can refer yourself, for free, to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP. There are also specialist organisations like the Samaritans can provide further advice, and help get you back on track if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Dr Will Taylor, Medical Director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire says: “Health professionals aren’t just here to help with physical ailments- we’re here for your mental wellbeing, too. Most people feel stressed at some point- so you really aren’t alone.
It’s important to speak to someone if you are feeling anxious- whether that’s a friend, family member or a colleague and there plenty of things you can do to relieve tension. That could be getting more exercise, planning ahead when you have a busy day or week, or trying self-help techniques.
If you find that you are having prolonged feelings of stress and anxiety (more than 5 days) then talk to your GP, who can give you guidance on how to help manage and alleviate your symptoms”
