It’s just stress.
How often have we brushed it off or pushed through until our body forced a breakdown?
April is Stress Awareness Month 2025—and this year, the message is clear, powerful, and timely: #LeadWithLove.
Because behind every stressed colleague, overwhelmed parent, or anxious student is a human in need of kindness. So let’s talk about it. Not with judgment. Not with guilt. But with the love and compassion this year’s theme calls us to embrace.
What is Stress Awareness Month?
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992. Its purpose is to shed light on the causes of stress, its impact on our mental and physical wellbeing, and the tools we can use to manage it better.
This year’s theme—#LeadWithLove—calls on all of us to approach ourselves and others with greater empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion. Whether you’re in a high-pressure job, balancing caregiving with a career, or navigating health worries, you’re not alone.
Why Does It Matter in 2025?
We’re living through unprecedented global change, tech burnout, cost-of-living pressures, and emotional fatigue. According to The Stress Management Society, 74% of UK adults felt overwhelmed or unable to cope in the past year.
Stress isn’t just emotional—it has a ripple effect on our physical health:
● Increased risk of heart disease
● Worsening symptoms of chronic illnesses
● Sleep disruption
● Weakened immunity
● Mood disorders
Yet, stress still goes undiscussed in too many homes and workplaces.
That’s why #LeadWithLove matters. It reminds us that real change begins with how we show up—for ourselves and each other.
How to Get Involved This Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month isn’t just about understanding stress—it’s about taking action. Whether you’re an individual navigating daily challenges, a workplace leader aiming to foster wellbeing, or simply someone who cares, there are meaningful ways you can make a difference this April.
Here’s how you can get involved and #LeadWithLove:
1. Start Conversations That Matter
Don’t underestimate the power of simply asking, “How are you really doing?” Create safe spaces—in your home, your workplace, or your community—where people feel seen and heard.
✔ Host a mental wellness coffee morning with your team
✔ Share your own stress story on LinkedIn or Instagram using #LeadWithLove
✔ Encourage open dialogue at the dinner table
The more we normalise these conversations, the more we chip away at the stigma surrounding stress and mental health.
2. Prioritize Self-Care Without Guil
This year, commit to your own wellbeing like you would for someone you love. Self-care doesn’t have to be lavish—it just has to be consistent. ✔ Try a short walk after meals to unwind
✔ Disconnect from your devices 30 minutes before bed
✔ Journal for 5 minutes a day to release racing thoughts
✔ Explore mindfulness apps like Headspace or Calm
Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s survival.
3. Support Others With Compassion
Check in with friends who’ve been quiet. Offer a lift, a listening ear, or just a reminder that they’re not alone.
✔ Organise a mental health check-in day at work
✔ Volunteer for organisations like Bucks Mind or Mates in Mind
✔ Share supportive resources online
Love, in action, is noticing someone’s silence and saying, “I’m here.”
4. Lead with Love—In All You Do
#LeadWithLove is more than a hashtag—it’s a mindset. Whether you’re a team leader, parent, student, or friend, lead with empathy and patience.
✔ Practice active listening instead of fixing
✔ Offer praise more freely than critique
✔ Be gentle with yourself when you fall short
✔ Make small adjustments in how you speak to reduce pressure or guilt
Every act of kindness—no matter how small—creates a ripple effect.
5. Make Use of Trusted Resources
There are incredible organisations working to make stress management accessible to everyone. From toolkits to support groups, there’s help out there.
✔ The Stress Management Society – stress.org.uk
✔ Mates in Mind – matesinmind.org
✔ Bucks Mind – bucksmind.org.uk
At Premier Private GP, our mental wellbeing and stress assessments are designed to help you understand and manage the physical and emotional effects of stress in a safe, judgment-free space. Whether you’re dealing with burnout, chronic fatigue, or low mood—our clinicians are here to help you find balance again. Looking to take the first step? Learn more about our Mental & Stress Health Checks here. Let’s #LeadWithLove—in our words, in our actions, and in how we show up for ourselve
