National Stress Awareness Month

April is National Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of managing stress and promoting mental health. Stress is something that we all experience and it’s important to take the time to acknowledge it and do something to reduce it.

Stress can impact multiple aspects of our lives, including health, work performance, and even financial wellness.

For example:

• The impact of financial stress on workers costs employers 13-18% of annual salary costs. (Source: Salary Finance 2020 report)
• 64% of adults say that money is a significant source of stress in their life. (Source: American Psychological Association)

To help your employees cope with stress, here are a few tips:

1. Launch an Employees Assistance Fund (or if you already have one, remind employees about this incredible employee benefit). An Employee Assistance Fund (EAF), also known as an Employee Relief Fund or an Employee Crisis Fund, is a program which can be used to provide financial support to employees impacted by disasters, personal emergencies, and other hardships. You can learn more about the benefits of working with America’s Charities as your EAF partner here.

2. Encourage your team (you included!) to do the following:

• Take a break: Take regular breaks from work to give your mind and body a chance to recharge.
• Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce stress levels, improve your mood, and boost your energy.
• Eat healthy: Eating a balanced diet can help keep your energy levels up and help you cope with stress.
• Get enough sleep: Making sure you get enough rest can help you stay alert and focused during the day.
• Connect with others: Talking to friends and family can help you manage stress and give you a much-needed emotional boost.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Taking a few minutes each day to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing.

3. Volunteer! 75% of U.S. adults feel physically healthier by volunteering. The mental and emotional benefits of volunteering are even greater, with 93%  reporting an improved mood, 79% reporting lower stress levels, and 88% reporting increased self-esteem by giving back. (Source: UnitedHealth Group 2017 Doing Good is Good for You Study). As an employer, you can support your employees’ passions through volunteerism. It’s an effective way to further demonstrate your company’s commitment to your workforce while also creating social impact is by offering opportunities for your staff to support the causes they care about. You can learn about what these programs entail and how to start one here.