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Stress Awareness Month
Stress is something that everyone feels at times, it can happen when dealing with change or personal life challenges. How we manage stress can make a huge difference to our wellbeing but it can often be hard to know where to start.
April is Stress Awareness Month, the month is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the causes, effects and management of stress. The Stress Management Society's mission is to help individuals and organisations recognise and reduce stress, fostering happier, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Stress is often subjective because it is unique to each persons experience, responsibilities and life challenges.
Recovery College Principal Kerry said " Stress Awareness Month is a reminder that beneath growth and progress, there is often strain we don't always see. What I want to recognise today and reflect upon is stress is not a personal failure. It is a human response to load, change and uncertainty."
Here are some simple ways to manage Stress that have been suggested by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
- Prioritise Rest. Sleep, downtime, and moments of stillness help your mind reset
- Take a break from digital screens. Take some time to read a book, journal or you could go outside and spend time in Nature.
- Give yourself permission to say "no" and be ok with that: you can't pour from an empty cup.
-Talk to someone, this could be a friend, family member, colleague or a health professional. Talking to someone can relieve the burden of stress you may be feeling.
Resources to support you manage stress
-Breathing exercises for stress - NHS
The Recovery College for the Black Country has two brand new courses that may support you to understand your stressors and build your own coping strategies.
Reducing Overwhelm and Managing Demands supports students to develop a clearer understanding of what overwhelm is and how it can affect daily life. This course will be running in Wolverhampton beginning 18th May.
Understanding Thoughts and Building Helpful Thinking Habits course aims to provide practical and an easy to understand foundation for people who want to make sense of their thinking and feel more in control of everyday challenges. This course will be running in Walsall beginning 11th June.
If you would like to register for either of these courses please contact
If worries are starting to feel too big, NHS Talking Therapies are here for you. There are different types of talking therapy, but they all include talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Find support near you: https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/talking-therapies
If you are in crisis or feel unable to cope, please contact NHS 111, your GP, Samaritans on 116 123.
The RC Team
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The Recovery College is an educational learning environment for people who have an interest in, or personal difficulties with, mental health.
All of our sessions are created with people who have lived experience of challenges with their own mental health along with carers and healthcare professionals.
You do not need any formal qualifications or experience to attend the college. All of our courses are free of charge and open to anyone, aged 18 and over.
If you would like to enrol with us here at The Recovery College, email
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