National Stress Awareness Day focuses on worker worry

Today (5 November) is National Stress Awareness Day, which is organised annually by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) to raise awareness of stress, the causes of stress and how to manage it.

This year, National Stress Awareness Day (NSAD) is focusing on the pressures people create for themselves - in particular the 'worrying' habit.

According to the NSAD website:

“Worrying undermines our natural ability to cope and most people admit it is completely ineffective. This both reduces energy and undermines self confidence. The 'Don't Worry.....Take Action!' campaign is designed to focus on this ineffective behaviour and change it to a positive outcome.”

According to a BUPA survey, more than a third of the population find work their biggest worry. Another recent poll of UK workers found that 84% have trouble sleeping on Sundays because they are worrying about the working week ahead.

Stress Expert Ann McCracken, chair of ISMA says:

“Worry about work or personal life is insidious and is something we do to ourselves. Few people benefit from worry as it changes nothing and builds up anxiety and personal pressure. Eventually this can lead to stress”.

Visit: www.nationalstressawarenessday.co.uk for more information to help reduce worry and stress.

The HSE is also launching a new stress website in February 2009, which will include all the latest information about Management Standards plus extra resources for Line Managers.