Stress Awareness Month: A Call To Manage and Reduce Anxiety

Everyone experiences stress. Regardless of age, gender, marital status, citizenship, place of residence, and other demographics, it’s a daily part of life. However, too much of it can be bad for our physical and mental well-being. 

A 2024 report by the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN) revealed that 79% of survey respondents from 39 countries felt some level of stress. Since it can significantly affect our quality of life and health, it’s important to take a moment, examine any anxiety we’re feeling, and take steps to address it.

April is Stress Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to reflect on our lives and regulate our stress levels. Let’s learn more about this occasion and how we can manage our daily burdens so we can lead better, healthier lives.

About Stress Awareness Month 2025

Stress Awareness Month dates back to 1992 when it was established by the Health Resource Network (HRN), a non-profit that educates and promotes health-related issues. The 30-year-old event began as a campaign that encouraged people to learn about stress, its effects, and how to manage it. It also highlighted the importance of reducing stress, self-care, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

While HRN hasn’t given a reason for naming April as Stress Awareness Month, it continues to spark important dialogues and introspection across the world. It is recognized and observed by nonprofits, government agencies, pharmaceuticals, and health-related organizations like The American Institute of Stress, National Institutes of Health, The Stress Management Society, Johns Hopkins University, TruCentive, Homeland Security, and the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA).

What You Should Know About Stress

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stress as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.” 

Hans Selye, the founder of the Stress Theory, offered a more technical explanation by describing it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.”

Types of Stress

This response can be classified as:

Acute Stress

This type of stress is short-term and may be caused by negative or positive factors. You may experience acute stress while watching a horror movie, during a fight with someone, or while trying to meet a deadline at work.

Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress refers to acute stress that is experienced regularly. When people undergo this kind of stress, they don’t revert to a relaxed state. Episodic acute stress is commonly encountered by people in certain professions, like social workers, paramedics, and psychotherapists.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress is the most harmful type of all because it can last for months. People usually experience it when they suffer from marriage problems, serious work issues, and financial troubles. Persistent stress must be managed because it can result in health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, digestive problems, heart disease, headaches, and sleep issues.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Stress can manifest itself in various ways; however, its most commonly recognized signs and symptoms include:

• Body aches and pains
• Racing heart and chest pain
• Exhaustion
• Inability to fall or stay asleep
• Dizziness, headaches, trembling
• High blood pressure
• Clenched jaw, tense muscles
• Digestive problems or stomach issues
• Weak immune system
• Problems having sex

Stress can also make its presence known through feelings of sadness and stress-related disorders, such as generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and burnout.

What’s Stressing Us Out?

According to WIN’s global survey of 33,000 respondents, work, income, and family are the main culprits:

Work

Twenty-four percent of people around the world feel distressed by work. Men are more vulnerable than women, as 27% of males and 20% of females admitted to experiencing stress from the workplace.

Finances

Finances are another cause for concern, with 21% saying they feel stressed by their financial situation.

Family

When it comes to family, women are feeling the strain more than men (22% versus 15%).

Interestingly, certain life stages could expose us to more stress. The same study shared that people 25 to 44 years old were the most stressed at 29%, while for those aged 55 to 64, the number drops to 21%. The most drastic decline in stress levels was noted for the group above 65 years of age. In their case, only 9% claimed to feel stressed. 

Stress Management Through Self-Care

Self-care means taking care of our overall well-being, which leads to mental and physical health, less stress, and higher productivity. No matter how busy or filled with pressure our lives become, we must make time for it. Here are some self-care suggestions:

• Lead an active lifestyle by exercising and indulging in outdoor activities.
• Eat healthy. Prioritize vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
• Meditate. You can employ guided meditation, mindfulness, guided imagery, and other techniques.
• Avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, overeating, and drinking too much.
• Socialize. Depending on your preference, you can reach out to new acquaintances or schedule a date with family and close friends.
• Make it a point to laugh more.
• Set healthy boundaries. Learn when and how to say no.
• Try journaling.
• Make sure you get enough sleep. Seven to nine hours each night is sufficient for most.
• Take up a creative hobby like painting or learning to play an instrument.
• Be open to asking for help. You can confide in a friend or seek counseling.

The core idea behind self-care is to make time for yourself and the things you enjoy. It is a key ingredient for a balanced and fulfilling life.

Final Thoughts: Stress Less, Enjoy Life, and Help Others Do the Same

Stress Awareness Month 2025 is the perfect time to remind ourselves and others to manage our stress levels. We can participate and raise awareness by sharing our own personal tips for stress management, encouraging others to spend time in self-care, and seeking help if necessary.

As we celebrate, let’s stress less, enjoy life, and learn to live in the moment.