April is National Stress Awareness Month to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.
It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience and manage job stress, and know where to go for help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides some tips on how to build resilience and manage job stress. Take some time to visit their website and familiarize yourself with ways to manage your stress.
NIH also offers several resources that can assist managers and employees in dealing with stress and anxiety, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). While EAP focuses on confidential counseling and enhancing and maintaining the well-being of all employees, the Office of the Ombudsman provides confidential, informal services related to coaching, facilitation, and mediation. Contact information for both services can be found in the above links.
Please see the additional resources are available at any time for you to review and learn about strategies to effectively cope when feeling stressed or anxiety:
- Wellness@NIH
- NIMH How to CopeÂ
- NIMH Getting to Know Your Brain: Dealing with Stress
- NIMH So Stressed Out Fact Sheet
- Your Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Toolkit (NIH)
- Concerns About Returning to the Physical Work Space (NIH)
- CDC Coping with Stress
- Advice for Employees Who are Anxious About Returning to Physical Workplace