Stress Awareness Month~ April

What Causes Stress?

Stress can look different for everyone, but many of the underlying causes are surprisingly universal. Recognizing them is often the first step toward managing them.

• Work-related pressure – Deadlines, heavy workloads, and job insecurity can all take a toll.

• Financial concerns – Worrying about money is one of the most common stress triggers.

• Health issues – Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or caring for someone else, health concerns can be emotionally draining.

• Relationships – Miscommunication, conflict, or a lack of support can lead to chronic stress.

• Life transitions – Moving, changing jobs, or going through loss or personal changes can be destabilizing, even if they’re positive in the long run.

• Information overload – In today’s digital world, constant notifications, news cycles, and social media can be overwhelming.

Being able to name what's causing stress gives you back some control—and helps you figure out where to begin.

Tips to Manage and Reduce Stress

You don’t need a complete life overhaul to start feeling better. Sometimes small shifts make the biggest difference. Here are a few strategies that can help:

1. Set Boundaries

Learn to say no without guilt. Whether it’s at work or in your personal life, protecting your time and energy is essential.

2. Move Your Body

Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym—stretching, walking, dancing in your living room—it all counts. Movement releases endorphins and helps clear your mind.

6. Cut Back on Stimulants

Too much caffeine, sugar, or alcohol can increase anxiety and disrupt your body’s natural stress response.

7. Make Time for Joy

Read a book, play with your pet, listen to music, try a hobby—joy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Stress may be a part of life, but it doesn’t have to define it. By understanding what causes our stress and taking small, meaningful steps to manage it, we can create space for more peace, clarity, and resilience.

This Stress Awareness Month, let’s commit to checking in with ourselves, making our well-being a priority, and supporting one another along the way. You deserve to feel balanced—and it starts with awareness.