Youth Unity are happy to celebrate that we have been awarded a sports grant which will help us to purchases equipment to run boxing, circuits and table tennis sessions on the Limes Farm Estate in Chigwell, Essex.
The activities will enable Youth Unity CIC to provide a safe space
for the local community helping to provide positive activities, improve mental health, create positive
relationships, reduce vulnerability, ASB and crime.
You can find our sessions on https://www.opensessions.io/#/home
SOURCE LINK THE GUARDIAN
Exposure to spaces such as beaches and rivers leads to greater value being placed in natural settings, study finds
Childhood days on the beach or messing around in rivers can have significant lasting benefits for our wellbeing in adulthood, according to a study.
It found that exposure to blue spaces – such as coasts, rivers and lakes – as a child made revisiting blue spaces in adulthood more likely, as these adults showed greater familiarity with and placed greater value in natural settings.
More than 15,000 participants in 18 different countries were surveyed for the study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology by researchers at the University of Exeter.
“Learning to swim and appreciate the dangers in terms of rip currents, cold temperatures etc is of course primary,” says Mathew White, a senior scientist at the University of Vienna and co-author of the study, “but the message we are trying to get across is that to only teach children about the dangers of water settings may make them overly afraid of, and ill-equipped to benefit from, places that can also be hugely beneficial to their health and wellbeing as they grow up.
“The vast majority of blue space visits both for adults and children do not involve getting wet – so there are also many advantages from spending time near water, not just in it.”
There has been a growing body of research over the last decade about the specific beneficial effects of blue space on mental health.
A review published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health in 2011 suggested visits to blue space could increase people’s physical activity levels and lower stress and anxiety, while boosting their mood and psychological wellbeing.
Another review published by the Environmental Agency in 2020, found that blue spaces were associated with improvement of mood and feelings of restoration to a greater degree than green spaces.
The study’s lead author, Valeria Vitale, a PhD candidate at Sapienza University of Rome, said via email: “We recognise that both green and blue spaces have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health. Also, prior studies examining childhood nature exposure and adulthood outcomes have largely focused on green space, or natural spaces in general. However, as we highlighted in our paper blue spaces have unique sensory qualities (light reflections, wave motion, sounds, etc) and facilitate a distinct range of leisure activities (swimming, fishing, water sports).”
She added: “We believe our findings are particularly relevant to practitioners and policymakers because of the nationally representative nature of the samples. First, our findings reinforce the need to protect and invest in natural spaces in order to optimise the potential benefits to subjective wellbeing. Second, our research suggests that policies and initiatives encouraging greater contact with blue spaces during childhood may support better mental health in later life.”
Our recent project in Cornwall: Project Point of View
Working in partnership with Elemental UK
Children are becoming more unhappy with their lives, schooling and appearance, according to research detailing the “desperately worrying” decline of children’s wellbeing in the UK.
Around one in eight children (12%) aged 10-15 were unhappy with school in 2019-20, data analysed by The Children’s Society suggests.
And six per cent were unhappy with their lives overall, according to the results set out in its Good Childhood report 2022.
Events since then, such as the cost-of-living crisis, are having a significant impact on families, the authors said, while children are also struggling following the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic.
The charity surveyed more than 2,000 children aged 10-17, and their parent or carer, across the UK between May and June.
It also analysed data from the UK Understanding Society survey, which covers 40,000 UK households annually, with questions completed by adults and children aged 10-15.
More than a third of parents and carers surveyed by the charity said they had struggled with the costs of school trips and uniforms, while more than a quarter struggled with the cost of school shoes, computer equipment and PE kit.
Some 85% said they were concerned about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their family over the next year.
And 11% of children and 13% of parents or carers said they did not cope well with changes caused by coronavirus.
Analysis of the Understanding Society study suggests, on average, happiness with life as a whole, friends, appearance and school were all significantly lower in 2019-20 – the latest available data – than in 2009-10.
Some 12% were unhappy with school in 2019-20, and six per cent about their lives overall.
It also found girls in particular were struggling with their body image, with 18% unhappy with their appearance in 2019-20.
This is significantly higher than the 10% of boys who felt this way, and a “worrying jump” from the 15% of girls who were unhappy with their appearance a decade ago.
Mark Russell, chief executive at The Children’s Society, called the state of decline in children’s wellbeing “desperately worrying”.
He said: “Right now, the negative effects of the cost-of-living crisis, the disruption of the pandemic to young people’s education, and the ongoing decline in children’s happiness are on a collision course.
“School is a vital setting to influence children’s wellbeing, but they need more support, as the reality of what’s facing children and the lack of a holistic response is a national scandal.
“We need a faster roll-out of mental health support teams in schools alongside early support hubs in every local community and there needs to be more support for children whose families are struggling to make ends meet with free school meals available to all children on Universal Credit.
“There is nowhere to hide from the ensuing wellbeing catastrophe unless urgent action is taken.”
The Children’s Society survey found children were happiest with their family, and least happy about school, with 14.2% feeling this way in 2022.
Children who said their family was not well off were less happy with school on average, while boys were happier with school than girls on average.
The environment was top of children’s concerns in 2022, with four in 10 children very or quite worried about it, followed by new illnesses/pandemics, crime, inequality and the refugee and migrant crisis.
A Government spokesperson said: “We are providing schools with £53.8 billion this year in core funding, which includes a cash increase of £4 billion, and continue to invest in children’s mental health and wellbeing support.
“Across Government we are also taking action to address cost pressures for families, including through the energy price guarantee, which will save a typical household an average of £1,000 a year on their energy bills. We will continue working closely with schools and the sector to address the pressures they face.”
As a global community, we have faced a turbulent few years, ruled chiefly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it brought. Now as we enter Spring 2022, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has taken over media attention and national concern. We live in a time of constant news streams and updates. It’s hard not to be filled with uncertainty and heartache every time you switch on the television or look at your phone. While we are all struggling to cope with the news, it is especially concerning for children and young people.
To help you guide those in your care through this uncertain time, our online safety experts have created this support for parents, carers, teachers, and safeguarding professionals. You’ll find a synopsis of important terms and questions, as well as our top tips for helping children and young people cope with distressing news.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military forces to begin an invasion of neighbouring country Ukraine. This is an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war that began in 2014 after a pro-Russian president of Ukraine was removed from office and Russian soldiers seized Crimea.
Since the invasion, there has been worldwide condemnation of Putin and his supporters. Protests have spread across the world (with protests in Russia resulting in arrest from police forces) as international support for Ukraine grows. Heavy sanctions (penalties to trade, sporting, and economic goods that are put in place by international leaders to try and pressure other leaders to a conduct agreement) have triggered a financial crisis in Russia, which has led Putin to put Russia’s nuclear forces on ‘high alert’ and has increased global fears of a nuclear war. Over 2 million Ukrainian citizens have fled their country. Thousands are suspected dead, with estimates expected to be higher. Many are trapped without access to necessities or medical aid. Recently, a maternity and children’s hospital was hit by a Russian airstrike resulting in multiple injuries and casualties.
Live reports are coming in every few minutes. Major news networks have constant news updates available for the public to see, despite difficulties in confirming news reports. However, the news is not the only avenue reports are appearing on. Social media is full of harrowing imagery and stories to encourage global support of Ukraine. While this is done to raise awareness of the atrocities happening in Ukraine, some of this content is extremely distressing. It’s worth nothing that if a child or young person engages with these posts on social media, the algorithms in place on these platforms will show them more.
While the recent news is upsetting and worrying for everyone, it is not the first disruptive event to affect the children and young people in your care. They have spent over two years adapting to a pandemic. They have endured lockdowns being isolated from their friends and family. They may even have lost loved ones during this time. Experts have warned that these events alone would have a significant impact on the mental wellbeing of children and young people going forward. If someone in your care is struggling, they might be:
If you are worried about a child or young person in your care, you can encourage them to speak to you or someone on their trusted team of adults. You can also point them to Childline’s support services.
Children and young people are naturally curious. They want to know about what is going on in the world as much as they want to know the latest TikTok trend. Even if you try to limit the content they consume, they will inevitably hear about big world events from various outlets, such as television, social media, friends, family, and school environments. They might even overhear something from one of your conversations! If it’s what everyone is talking about, their interest in the topic increases.
This wide variety of sources makes it difficult to validate information and know what content the young person in your care is viewing. If you don’t acknowledge any questions or concerns they may have, they could ‘fill in the gaps’ with the wrong information. This might cause further anxiety, ignorance, or worrisome behaviour. Educating those in your care yourself is important to assure they know how to process news reports on their own with critical thinking and media literacy skills.
Some children may be curious, but not worried. Others may be uninterested in what is happening. Whether your child asks you about it or you bring it into conversation, remember to stay calm, listen to them, and reassure them that you are there if they need support or further guidance.
Every child is different. Their ability to process information will depend on their age, character, and resilience. As their guardian, you have to decide how much you share. You will know them best, but assessing their abilities can help you choose the level of information you share with them. For example, if you are a parent or carer of a young child who is prone to anxiety, start off with simple statements about the event while continually reassuring your child that they are safe and you are here for them. It’s important to:
We know it can be difficult to decide what to share and how to respond. Remember – it’s important to remain calm, open, and honest with those in your care regardless of their age. Below, you’ll find some examples of questions you may receive about the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our online safety experts have crafted some examples of appropriate answers to help you frame what you would like to say.
To help you navigate those difficult conversations, check out our toolkit on ‘Having Supportive Conversations’.
Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter the hypothalamus produces and the pituitary gland secretes. Scientists first identified and observed it in 1906. (1) Oxytocin is essential in the process of childbirth in mammals, stimulating uterine contractions and lactation. Later studies found its role a much deeper and far-reaching one that affects social interaction and bonding between people. Scientists call it “the love hormone“.
As Psychology Today explains “…As a facilitator of bonding among those who share similar characteristics, the hormone fosters distinctions between in-group and out-group members, and sets in motion favoritism toward in-group members and prejudice against those in out-groups. Ongoing research on the hormone is a potent reminder of the complexity of biological and psychological systems.“ (2)Advertisement
This special hormone is present in both sexes, stimulating all aspects of the reproductive process, beginning with trust and sexual arousal. (3, 4) Oxytocin stimulates pleasure and reward centers and is the neurological basis for social bonding, especially with the people closest to you.
The brain rewards us for living with others. (5) Oxytocin increases feelings of trust, which are intrinsic to all close personal relationships. (6)
Some animals are solitary but humans are not. Social inclusion and interaction are necessary for our survival. This becomes evident when we become socially isolated, starting with depression and often culminating in disease.Advertisement
The neurobiological mechanisms of love and attachment are a wonderful circle: we fall in love, have a baby, raise the child with love and affection, and the child continues the process.
The attraction and bonding between us are the physiological and emotional manifestations of our need to reproduce to perpetuate the species.
What’s more, oxytocin is essential for embryonic brain development (7). More specifically, it plays a role in blood vessel formation in the pituitary gland, which controls several physiological processes such as stress, growth, and reproduction (8).
With this as a foundation, we are more able to cope with stress and avoid destructive addictive behaviors. (9) This complex process begins with the bonding between parents and child.
The brain produces a high level of oxytocin to stimulate labor during pregnancy. After birth, oxytocin is even higher in infants than in mothers.
Additionally, in combination with prolactin (another hormone), oxytocin stimulates milk production for breastfeeding. The levels stay high for mother and baby for as long as the baby nurses.
The chemical reaction that follows is nothing short of amazing:
“Through three different release pathways, oxytocin functions rather like a system activator and often influences the release of other signaling substances such as opioids, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Through these activations, different behavioural and physiological effects are facilitated and coordinated into adaptive patterns, which are influenced by the type of stimuli and environmental factors. ”Advertisement
“Oxytocin can be released by activation of several types of sensory nerves [including in the skin]…Light pressure, warmth and stroking contribute to oxytocin release caused by ‘pleasant’ or ‘non-noxious’ sensory stimulation of the skin.” (10)
Opioids, serotonin, and dopamine are all pleasure hormones.
It is interesting to note that newborns instinctively use their hands in addition to their mouths to stimulate milk flow. This type of skin stimulation promotes the production of oxytocin in the mother for milk release. (11)
A fascinating study of oxytocin in parents with infants found that levels increased where there was a positive interaction with their babies. In addition, increased oxytocin was found in parents who enjoyed positive close relationships with their partners and their own parents, indicating that we pass on the love hormone through positive social interaction.
Interestingly, reduced oxytocin levels in the urine of mothers stressed by parenting and negative interaction with their infants were noted. (12)
The long-term emotional and societal effects of oxytocin are tangible.
Oxytocin release during sexual activity, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and onward directly correlates to the ability to trust and form meaningful relationships. Once a baby is weaned from her∕his mother, the brain produces oxytocin as the result of affectionate touch. Healthy personal interactions also stimulate hormone release. Hugging your child is the most natural instinct a parent has because it feels good for the both of you.
As we’ve seen, physical affection in childhood is instinctive and feels good because it fosters a solid emotional (and physical!) foundation and the ability to develop trust and strong bonds with others.
So while all of love’s mysteries will never truly be understood, we know that it’s part of who we are as a species and is necessary for our survival. Spread those hugs around—everyone needs ʹem.
SOURCE: https://dailyhealthpost.com/hug-baby-brain-development/2/
Professional supervision is central to effective social work. I think we can all agree on that. It plays an important role in the wider functioning of any children’s social care organisation. It is good to see the government setting out the role of practice supervisors in its knowledge and skills statements: not much to argue with there.
Children’s social work can be highly pressured and, at times, extremely stressful. So, whether you’re a frontline social worker, team manager or working with children in another social care setting, effective supervision helps you to do your job well.
Supervision involves talking through the impact the work has on you personally, as well as exploring decision-making. It is vital for practitioners’ well-being, professional development, and management oversight. Most importantly, supervision helps you to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
For Ofsted, supervision is an important part of the conversations that inspectors have with frontline workers. Has it benefited an approach to a particular case? Has it helped professional development? Inspectors will always look for evidence of the quality and impact of any supervision.
As ever, there is no particular model that works best. In the areas that do supervision well, we see many components coming together to make sure that it works.
In these places, supervision takes place in an environment and relationship that feel safe, both to the supervisor and the supervisee. It is emotionally supportive, but challenges practitioners to truly reflect on their practice and on the needs of the children and families they are supporting.
Effective supervision relationships allow practitioners to develop personally and professionally through trust, honesty and empathy. When done well, supervision contributes to how staff performance is managed, and includes practice development and teaching and coaching.
Individual supervision can also be enhanced by (but not substituted for) group support and challenge. The right balance has to be struck between recording group and individual supervision.
Having been both supervisor and supervisee, I know that how supervision ‘feels’ is important! The following questions are a good guide:
If the answer to these questions is yes, supervision is probably both effective and satisfying to supervisor and supervisee alike. Even more than that, it is likely to have a direct, positive impact on children and families.
Statutory children and family social work is all about managing risks and making good-quality decisions. To do this successfully, information about risks and how they are being managed needs to be shared between social workers and their managers at all levels.
In places that do it well, supervision happens in a dedicated space and time. This is helpful for practitioners because they know when to expect it and can rely on it. It forms a regular outlet to reflect on what has gone well and what has gone less well, and to learn from both.
Do inspectors expect every child’s experiences to be explored at every supervision session? No. Supervision should always be proportionate to risk: prioritising worker’s greatest worries, but over a number of sessions, making space for all children’s experiences to be discussed.
Sector colleagues often ask me what Ofsted is looking for on a good supervision record and on a child’s case record. There is, of course, some overlap between the two, and I do not want to suggest a prescriptive approach.
For some practitioners, supervision records will include getting the basics right or compliance with practice standards. For all, it should be an ambitious expectation for the best possible interventions and a place for professional dialogue and debate.
Well-recorded practitioner files will evidence how that person’s professional development has evolved through training, skills development and knowledge, and how they have applied this in their practice with children and families. It will explore responses to stress, personal ‘baggage’ and how these impact on the person’s ability to do their job.
When it comes to a child’s record, this has to serve many audiences – not least a manager’s scrutiny and a future social worker’s ability to pick up that child’s case. Will they understand how decisions were arrived at and the rationale for particular interventions? The decision-making resulting from supervision is clearly relevant here.
Critically, that same record will be used in future years, when the child, now an adult, seeks to understand their childhood and how they came to be brought up as and where they were.
Finally, let’s never lose sight of the context of children’s social work. Children and families have a right to receive help and care from properly qualified and experienced practitioners who are continually developing their practice. Effective supervision is a cornerstone of this development, while the way it is recorded is a means of evidencing that professionalism
Has your past belief kept you in unhealthy circumstances?
A school photo but nobody saw this little girl abuse, they never saw her being taken advantage of (groomed by the family friends)
They never told her she was living in domestic abuse, as a little girl parents so wrapped up in drink drugs and own issues she was abused right under their noses, she went on to gain a diagnosis in her late 20’s then she was manipulated and her mental health was used as an excuse against her, to mask the heinous crimes.
47 years of abuse throughout her life, even the system failed her and never protected or offered support without victim blaming, just given her a label borderline personality disorder but writing down a paperwork abuse her abuse.
So why did she not get help in the correct departments no just chucked tablet and told to get in with it that label is (a reward for abuse, now she has this label for life hell.
people picked on her year after year until she learned to say no to abuse, only because someone told her it was wrong to be treated like that and stuck by her to expose NEGLECT for what it was from child abuse to domestic to even those so-called Friends bullying and humiliating her
Rejection and abandonment
Online cyber bullying to add in the most horrific way resulting to her getting police involvement to cease the unwanted behaviour from those who saw her as a threat, when she stood against abuse she was targeted online and a photograph placed on a group so she would be target more
This stopped when she took action against this form of abuse it stopped. But year after year she suffered Degrading treatment Until one day someone else saw what she went through and helped her to fight back against abuse that caused her mental health to crumble.
Making those abusers pay for what they did she took them to a higher authority and won cases that had written context such as (she throws a tantrum and always complains. They protect the abusers; it was not a tantrum it was A CRY FOR HELP she was drained and had nothing left to live for so you can imagine she tried once again to take her life never knowing how to tell the story so it would be understood without persecution.
She never got to tell on her child abuser as he died, this is when she felt free.
An opportunity came up to create a business and she thought this is the way to express to tell the whole world what she’s been through so they too could prevent their own children from going through what she went through she wanted to empower other women who went through sexual abuse and domestic violence and also suffered with mental health complications due to stress, so she built the MOM Project Suicide Prevention as a way to raise awareness on those subjects to help others prevent and to forgive themselves a abuser is the only one who tries to have power and control and grooms you into submission he or she are responsible for their actions. NOBODY FORCED THEM TO ACT THIS WAY.
They were raised in a belief system. Reinforced by society and the belief such as MEN own women and women should do as they are told. “
We are not a slave; we are a human who has rights and the right to say no to abuse. And the right to say no to sex
Kerry Mussington helps many people understand the patterns and raises awareness on mental health and now Is a trained Facilitator in Domestic Abuse, she took everything she could to empower herself and other. her mission is to save life and prevent others from the dreaded depression that’s mask so much abuse…. That even if they can identify they are being abused or neglected.
It has come to my attention through research that many people who suffered abuse end up with labels such as borderline personality disorders ADHD bipolar and many other disorders such as PTSD Trauma affects children and adults ripping life from them stealing childhood stealing adulthood because you are treated like a child told to do things you don’t want to made to put up with harmful behaviour and if you don’t there is consequence now this part is scary because you stop TRUSTING people and even Yourself…. Isolating yourself from others. You develop Low self-esteem lack of confidence and even injury to one’s self using possibly drugs and alcohol to manage daily life.
Trust and good communication play a big part of life but when you are being controlled, you’re just existing like a puppet on a string.
Mental health can get better with knowledge and understanding and the right support from someone who understands this cycle.
Domestic abuse can cease if you are educated in understanding the patterns of behaviour spot the abuse even down to Cheating and belittling power and control is what the abusers want and let me tell you this it’s not Because of drink drugs mental health depression unemployment why they do what they do to their victims it’s simply
POWER AND CONTROL
To the victims out there it is not your fault your children need to know that this behaviour is wrong. Nobody has the right to sexually abuse you or help themselves and nobody has the right to put their hands on you.
A bully will sulk to hide or deflect from his or her actions
They will call names, lie and degrade you for own gain
Many mothers blame themselves when children are caught up in the middle but are also conditioned many are blame victim blaming has become a huge issue because people don’t want to listen to our painful struggles it just too hard for them to believe
Gaslighting for one’s own gain
Say NO to domestic abuse and please get some support the freedom program will help you in this area and has a program (living with the dominator) it will help women and children understand better of this cycle. bad fathers to good role models
I understand abuse happens to men also and you may want to get some support there are programmes that can help you to understand.
You friends most probably can relate to this post and may never of gotten help or support and end up in controlling relationships
Offering you knowledge that there is a program that they can book themselves in today it’s called the freedom program.
Let’s start raises our standards not our hands
Mr Wrong to Mr Right check it. https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/online.php
The coronavirus pandemic has been incredibly tough for us all, and it has had a huge impact on our mental health. From lockdown, to furlough, to the loss of loved ones, we’ve all found ourselves under pressure or anxious at times.
The pandemic has affected us all in different ways, and it is only normal to feel uncertain about what the future holds.
The stress of this uncertainty and the new challenges we have had to face has had an impact on the mental health of many.
With limited contact with our friends, family, community and colleagues, taking care of our mental health and wellbeing has never been more important.
Support is available to help cope with the thoughts, feelings and issues that we are all facing.
#BeNicetoYourNoggin aims to spread awareness of the support is available in our community and how to access it, including a wide range of bereavement and crisis support services available in Havering.
The ‘noggins’ are here to help us express some of the mental health issues we all face, which can often feel dark and unmanageable. They are here to make these issues easier to understand, and to let you know that you are not alone in tackling them.
Visit their site for more information:
https://www.havering.gov.uk/benicetoyournoggin
Every April Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, we focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.
Every April Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, we focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support. This year, we are committed to keeping the spirit of the month alive, as now more than ever we know the autism community needs support, kindness and compassion. In April 2021 we’re inviting the community to #LightUpWithKindness.
There is power in kindness and one small act can have a ripple effect to foster kindness in our communities. We believe that that kindness can help create a world where all people can reach their full potential.
Supporters can participate in the initiative by visiting autismspeaks.org/wam where they can:
Other ways to participate include wearing blue on April 2, lighting buildings blue and exploring stories and photos shared by the diverse autism community.
The Light It Up Blue initiative was created by Autism Speaks in 2010. Since that time, joined by the international autism community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world light blue on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2) in recognition of people with autism.
Yes! Autism Speaks is still rooted in our legacy blue.
Please visit the Autism Speaks eStore to purchase t-shirts, bracelets, pins, yard signs and other promotional products to spread kindness. Printed materials such as posters, flyers and brochures can be downloaded for free from the resources page.
You can purchase Phillips Autism Speaks blue light bulbs at Home Depot stores or visit www.homedepot.com and search “Autism Speaks Lights.”
Visit www.rosco.com/LIUB for information on commercial lighting options.
Download our Selfie Frame to use and show your support for people with autism. Then share photos by posting them with the hashtag #LightItUpBlue and #kindnesscounts to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Instagram.
Yes. Logos may be downloaded from the resources page and used for informational or educational purposes during World Autism Month. All uses of the Autism Speaks World Autism Month logo must comply with the following Terms of Use:
Source: https://www.autismspeaks.org/
Youth Unity have put together some useful links to help signpost people to understanding and coping with stress!!
Sometime we need to remember to take time out and refocus and relax!
According to the Mental Health Foundation, it seems that 74% of UK adults have had a moment where they’ve felt so stressed that they’ve been too overwhelmed or unable to cope with the situation. Stress is a widespread feeling for most of us to feel, and as such, millions of individuals around the world can struggle with it. Stress can have an impact on our health, both physically and mentally. These health issues could be anxiety and depression to heart disease. Learning the coping mechanisms and just being more aware of stress can certainly help an individual who is feeling overwhelmed by this emotion.
This month is held every April and has been running for 28 years since 1992, to be exact. The original organization dedicated to helping with workplace stress was founded back in 1974 and rebranded to the International Stress Management Association in 1989. There have been many investigations and studies into the cause of stress and how we react to it. It wasn’t until the 1950s that personality types were defined. Even earlier, back in 1936, Hans Selye began his pioneering studies into stress and developed the concept of general adaption syndrome.
There are plenty of resources and helpful organizations available to help with your own struggles regarding stress. One way of doing something for stress awareness month is the 30-day challenge. The 30-day challenge encourages you to do one action for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing every day. This can be really helpful in changing your mindset and outlook on stress, as well as finding ways to help cope with your own stresses. You may learn a lot about yourself and the triggers that come with stress too.
As well as doing the challenge above, there is definitely more you can do, not only for yourself but also for other people. Talking about stress can be really helpful, and it might be worth reaching out to those you trust or to seek professional help where necessary. Please encourage others to talk about their feelings, too, and always try to be there for those individuals who may appear to be overwhelmed. We all cope with stress differently, so sharing your experiences of coping might also help someone else.
The most important thing with this month is that you’re focusing on your health and wellbeing. Put yourself first for a change and focus on bringing those stress levels down in whatever way possible.
Source: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/stress-awareness-month/
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