This year Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 14th May – 20th May and this time round it will focus on stress. We all have an idea of what stress is but did you know that 2/3 of us will experience mental health problems in a lifetime and stress has been shown to be a contributory factor.

We can all suffer from stress from time to time. Some stress can be healthy, for example we all know how it feels during exam time or when you have been waiting for a job interview.

The feeling of butterflies in your stomach that just will not go away. They can affect your appetite, your sleep, and your mood. You’re probably not the best person to be around. But all this is quite normal in certain situations and can help you rise to the challenge, and once the exams are over you should return back to normal.

But imagine feeling like that all the time and you cannot quite put your finger on why it is happening. It is time to take control.

This cannot be healthy so you need to establish the root cause of your stress. At the same time do not turn to something unhealthy like alcohol, smoking or use of illicit drugs as this will only make matters worse.

Sometimes it is a good idea to take yourself away from what is causing your stress. In the work place, take yourself away from your work station to make yourself a drink or even go down to the next floor to get a change of scene and take a minute to yourself. By doing this you are thinking differently and giving your mind time to rest. You could also practice some deep breathing techniques to calm your body and mind down.How many times has a colleague made you a hot drink, but when you come to drink it, it is stone cold?

More and more people each year are absent from work due to work related stress. Stress can be caused by one little thing or lots of little things. People are under more pressure than ever before, yet people are reluctant to talk about stress or doubt at work because they think it makes them look weak or they fear they may lose their jobs. Employers should do more to protect employees from stress because it is in their interests to so. Making their employees healthier and happier can improve performance and that cannot be a bad thing!

There are many ways that you can tackle stress yourselves. Exercise is a great way to combat stress. It can improve your physical health but additionally it can benefit your mental health.

During exercise your body releases chemicals which can reduce your stress levels, which in turn can improve your mood. You also stand a better chance of getting a good night sleep as there is nothing worse than not being able to sleep and in turn getting stressed that you’re not drifting off. Exercising is also a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and overall you will feel a better person for it.

If you suspect someone is under stress, for example a colleague or a friend, make sure you are in their corner. Don’t let them fall under the radar. Don’t let stress take control over you. You must take control of it.