As we observe National Stress Awareness Day on 6th November, it’s important to acknowledge the growing prevalence of stress in our daily lives and learning ways to tackle it.

In today’s fast-paced world where it’s much harder to just ‘switch off’, stress has become a common challenge for both individuals and organisations, highlighting the need for effective stress management strategies to enhance wellbeing and performance.

Understanding Stress and Its Impact

Stress is a natural response to the demands and pressures we encounter on the daily. While a certain level of stress can motivate us to perform at our best, it’s essential to recognise that how we manage stress is crucial for maintaining our mental health. Prolonged exposure to high stress levels eventually takes its toll and can begin to affect physical health, emotional stability, and overall quality of life. Moreover, stress doesn’t just affect individuals; it can work its way through teams, impacting morale and productivity.

At Advance TRS, we believe that by prioritising stress management and supporting one another, we can cultivate a workplace culture that fosters health, wellbeing, and success.

Effective Strategies for Reducing Stress

  1. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle:
    Adopting a balanced lifestyle can enhance resilience to stress and promote overall wellness.
  2. Stay Active:
    Regular physical activity is a great antidote to stress. Whether it’s taking a leisurely walk or participating in fitness classes, finding enjoyable activities and incorporating them into your routine can make a significant difference.
  3. Take Breaks Throughout the Day:
    Short breaks are vital for recharging your mind and body. Step away from your workspace, stretch, or enjoy a cup of tea to help prevent burnout and boost your focus.
  4. Master Time Management:
    Effective time management can mitigate procrastination and enhance productivity, ultimately leading to lower stress levels.
  5. Prioritise Self-Care:
    Nurturing your physical and mental health is fundamental to building resilience against stress and improving your overall wellbeing.

Wellness Initiatives at Advance TRS

Our commitment to wellness at Advance TRS is reflected in our comprehensive workplace wellness programme. We offer a variety of initiatives designed to support our staff, including:

  • Weekly Wellness Hour: We encourage staff to take dedicated time away from their duties each week to engage in activities that enhance their wellbeing.
  • Perkbox: This wellness hub provides resources, tools, and information to promote both mental and physical health among our team members.
  • 24-Hour Counselling Helpline: Employees have access to confidential support whenever they need it, ensuring they receive guidance in challenging times.

These initiatives collectively create a supportive environment that prioritises the health and happiness of our employees.

Health & Wellbeing at Advance TRS – Advance TRS

Join Us in Promoting Wellbeing

As we observe National Stress Awareness Day, we invite everyone to participate in fostering a culture of wellbeing. By prioritising health and wellbeing, we can not only improve the lives of our employees but also enhance our workplace culture.

If you’re interested in joining a team that values wellbeing, check out our Work for Us page to explore current opportunities at Advance TRS.

We have taken a look at what can help you lower your stress levels.

In 2018/19 a staggering 602,000 workers in the UK suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety and 12.8 million working days were lost as a result, according to a Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Long-term stress can have big effects on an individual’s mental and physical health and therefore it’s important to take steps to alleviate it. There are simple things we can all incorporate into our daily routines to help us cope better.

Exercise

While physical activity won’t make stress disappear, it is proven to significantly improve mood and wellbeing by metabolising excessive stress hormones, helping you feel calmer. If you start to feel overwhelmed, going for a brisk walk can help you relax.

A good night’s sleep

Lack of sleep is a major cause of stress and unfortunately, when we feel stressed it can be difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, it’s important to take time to relax before going to bed. Taking a warm bath or reading a book can both help to calm your brain. Try to avoid having caffeinated drinks during the late afternoon and evening. You will soon notice how much calmer you feel after a relaxing night’s sleep.

Communicate

Talking to someone, whether a colleague, friend or family member, can make a significant difference in how you feel. It might distract you from stressful thoughts for some time or even release some of the built-up tension.

Avoid caffeine

Try to avoid over-consumption of caffeine or at least reduce it when you are already feeling stressed, as this might increase the stress response in your body. Instead, why not try herbal or fruit teas?

Make a to-do list

Prioritising your work will help you identify the tasks that make a real difference, so you can complete these first and leave less important work to last. Ticking tasks off as you go will also give you a sense of accomplishment. Just remember that your in-tray will most likely never be empty.

At Advance TRS, we prioritise our staff’s wellbeing and get together every week to practise relaxation techniques, go for walks at lunchtime or just chat. We also offer a Wellbeing Hub and have appointed qualified Mental Health First Aiders, who will act as the first point of contact for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

We are currently recruiting, so if you want to work for a company that places mental wellbeing and dealing with the causes of stress as a priority, send us your CV or take a look at our latest vacancies.