Let’s Talk About Stress – It’s More Common Than You Think

Let’s be honest stress is something we all deal with at one time or another. Whether it's that never-ending to-do list, money worries, juggling home life, or trying to keep everyone else happy while quietly running on empty… it can feel like a lot.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and stress isn’t something to brush off as it can seriously affect both our mental and physical health if we don’t take steps to manage it.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, a whopping 76% of people felt so stressed at some point last year they were overwhelmed and couldn’t cope. One in five workers say they can’t manage stress and pressure at work. And young people aren’t immune — with 66% of 8 to 17-year-olds stressed about exams, and others worrying about bullying or what people think of them.

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it starts getting in the way of sleeping, eating, thinking straight or just feeling like yourself – that’s your body and mind saying “I need a break”.

The theme for Stress Awareness Month this year is #LeadwithLove which is a powerful reminder to show more kindness, compassion and patience, both to others and to ourselves. Especially when life feels hard.

If stress is starting to build up, or you just want to feel a bit more in control, Good Thinking has loads of free tools to help. You’ll find:

• Advice on spotting the signs of stress

• NHS-approved apps for mindfulness and meditation

• Podcasts and articles from people who’ve been there

• Step-by-step guides on how to look after your mental wellbeing

It’s all free, created for Londoners, and available whenever you need it. Visit Good Thinking’s Stress pages or just use the search function to find what works for you. You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, you can call Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123, or use the Hub of Hope to find local mental health support near you.