International Stress Awareness Day 2024 takes place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, during International Stress Awareness Week, which runs from November 4–8, 2024. This annual event is a significant opportunity to raise awareness about stress, its effects, and ways to manage it more effectively. Stress is a universal experience, affecting individuals at all stages of life, yet its impact is often underestimated.
The purpose of this week-long initiative is to educate the public about the seriousness of stress and how it can affect our mental and physical wellbeing. Stress is one of the most common health issues today, contributing to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. Physical health is also affected, with stress increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other serious conditions.
In 2024, the theme for International Stress Awareness Day is “Campaigning to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.” This theme highlights the urgent need to address the growing levels of stress in both personal and professional settings. The campaign seeks to empower individuals, communities, and workplaces to take concrete actions to reduce stress and promote healthier lifestyles.
The Impact of Stress on Employees
In recent years, workplace stress has become a growing concern, with significant consequences for both employees and employers. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), work-related stress, depression, and anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related illnesses in the UK in 2023. This means that over half of the workforce is grappling with mental health issues linked to their job environment. This level of stress can affect everything from employee motivation to overall wellbeing, creating a workforce that is fatigued, less engaged, and prone to long-term health issues.
Moreover, stress leads to a dramatic rise in absenteeism. The same HSE report found that work-related stress was responsible for a staggering 17.0 million working days lost in 2023. That’s 17 million days where employees were unable to work due to stress, anxiety, or depression, showcasing how mental health can directly affect business productivity. When employees are overwhelmed by stress, they are more likely to take time off to recover, costing both the individual and the business.
In addition to absenteeism, stress often manifests in presenteeism—where employees come to work but are unable to perform effectively due to their mental state. This hidden cost is harder to track but equally damaging, as stressed workers may struggle with concentration, creativity, and decision-making. On International Stress Awareness Day 2024, it’s crucial to highlight how stress is impacting employees globally, both mentally and physically.
Financial Cost of Stress to Employers
The financial cost of stress is not just an abstract figure—it has direct implications for business operations and sustainability. Stress-related absenteeism and presenteeism cost UK businesses an estimated £34 billion annually, with the largest portions coming from reduced productivity and employee turnover. Stress often leads to higher healthcare costs for businesses due to the need for medical interventions, counselling, or mental health support.
When employees are stressed, their decision-making abilities are impaired, making them less efficient and more prone to mistakes. This inefficiency not only affects their own output but also impacts the wider team, creating a ripple effect that lowers overall productivity. Additionally, the turnover rates for stressed employees are significantly higher; stressed employees are more likely to seek jobs elsewhere, adding to recruitment costs and disrupting the workforce.
In fact, Gallup’s Global Workplace report found that businesses with highly stressed employees experienced 37% higher absenteeism, 18% lower productivity, and 15% higher employee turnover. Replacing an employee can cost up to 33% of their annual salary, making employee retention a critical focus for businesses wanting to curb unnecessary costs. Beyond the numbers, stress-related turnover also erodes company culture, reduces team cohesion, and can harm the company’s reputation as a desirable place to work. As we reflect on International Stress Awareness Day 2024, addressing the financial burden stress places on employers is a vital step toward creating healthier workplaces.
Main Causes of Workplace Stress
Understanding the root causes of workplace stress is the first step towards creating a healthier, more productive work environment. A 2023 Mind UK survey revealed that the primary sources of workplace stress include:
Excessive workloads:
Employees are often expected to juggle multiple tasks at once, with unrealistic deadlines, leading to feelings of overwhelm. When workloads aren’t manageable, stress rises, and employees feel they can never fully catch up, leading to frustration and anxiety.
Long hours:
Many employees report working longer hours than they are contracted for, which disrupts their work-life balance. When personal time is consistently compromised, employees may feel like they’re always “on,” contributing to chronic stress.
Job insecurity:
Fear of losing their job, especially in uncertain economic climates, causes many employees to experience anxiety. Job insecurity can lead to overworking in an effort to prove one’s worth, which adds to stress levels.
Poor management practices:
Ineffective management styles, lack of communication, or unclear job roles often leave employees feeling unsupported. When leaders fail to engage with or listen to their teams, workers may feel isolated and undervalued, which contributes to rising stress levels.
Lack of support:
Employees who feel unsupported by their colleagues or supervisors are more likely to experience stress. A supportive team can help distribute workloads and offer emotional support, whereas an unsupportive environment increases isolation and anxiety.
Inadequate resources:
When employees don’t have the tools, training, or time they need to do their jobs effectively, frustration and stress mount. This is especially true in fast-paced industries where expectations are high, but resources are low.
Work-life imbalance:
Personal and professional lives are increasingly intertwined, especially with the rise of remote working. The inability to “switch off” after work hours blurs the boundaries between rest and work, leading to chronic stress.
How to Reduce Stress: Practical Tips for a Healthier Life
Managing stress effectively starts with recognising it and taking proactive steps to reduce its impact. The following strategies can help individuals cope with stress more effectively:
Time management: Good time management skills are essential for reducing stress at work and home. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and set realistic goals. Prioritise your workload and focus on what’s most important, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
Take regular breaks: Continuous work without breaks can lead to burnout and fatigue. Make sure to step away from your desk regularly throughout the day. Even a short 5-10 minute break can help clear your mind and improve concentration.
Exercise: Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress. Regular exercise boosts your mood, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep. It doesn’t have to be strenuous—a simple walk, yoga, or stretching can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Maintain a healthy diet: A balanced diet can play a significant role in how well you cope with stress. Avoid relying on caffeine, sugar, or junk food to get through stressful days. Instead, focus on eating nutritious meals that provide lasting energy and support brain function.
Set boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between your work life and personal life is essential. Learn to say no to additional work if you’re already overwhelmed. Respect your time off and don’t let work tasks encroach on your personal time.
Get adequate sleep: Sleep is crucial for managing stress. Lack of sleep makes it harder to cope with stress and can exacerbate the problem. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to recharge and improve resilience.
Seek support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a colleague, friend, or professional if you’re struggling with stress. Talking about what’s on your mind can help relieve tension and provide you with new perspectives or solutions.
Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Stress
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and staying focused in the present moment. These simple techniques can be incorporated into your daily routine:
Breathing exercises:
Deep breathing is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. Try focusing on your breath, inhaling deeply for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for four. This helps lower your heart rate and calms your mind.
Meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation for even a few minutes each day can reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote a sense of inner calm. Focus on your breath or a mantra, and gently bring your attention back whenever your mind wanders.
Body scan: A body scan meditation involves focusing on each part of your body, starting from your toes and moving up to your head. This technique helps release tension and promotes relaxation by tuning in to physical sensations.
Mindful walking: Take a walk outside and focus on your surroundings. Pay attention to the sounds, smells, and sensations you experience as you walk. This practice helps ground you in the present moment and clears your mind.
Gratitude practice: Spending a few moments each day reflecting on things you’re grateful for can shift your mindset from stress to appreciation. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you stay focused on the positives.
On International Stress Awareness Day 2024 and all year round, embracing mindfulness techniques can serve as a powerful tool for individuals to manage stress and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Wellity Training Support
This International Stress Awareness Day 2024, we offer a range of sessions to support both leaders and employees through stress:
Burnout Prevention for Leaders: Managing Stress for Lasting Success
This comprehensive programme has been designed to equip managers and leaders with the insight to understand burnout and learn how to adopt an action-based approach to making change. The modules emphasise the role of every manager in promoting a positive message around healthy pressure management, respecting the unique needs of every individual and helping their teams adopt an empowered approach to tackling and preventing burnout.
Modules:
- Burnout – The Fundamental
- Occupational Risk & Protective Factors
- Individual Risk & Protective Factors
- Leading the Way – Being a Role Model
- New. Goals
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, the ability to effectively manage high-pressure workloads and handle stress is crucial for personal wellbeing and professional success. This session is designed to equip participants with the practical skills needed to navigate the challenges of a busy work life while maintaining balance.
Objectives:
- Gain insights into stress triggers and its impact on health.
- Identify early stress indicators in oneself and others.
- Learn mindfulness, breathing exercises, and time management techniques.
- Prioritise tasks, set realistic goals, and optimise productivity.
For further information on these sessions, book a meeting with our team.
