Make April a stress free month

April is Stress Awareness Month - yes it is! - a great time to reflect on how stress shows up in our lives and how we manage it. Whether it's work, personal stuff, or just the general pace of life, stress can creep in quietly.

Stress doesn’t care what job title you hold, where you work, or how many degrees you’ve got—it shows up, uninvited, in everyone's life. This April, as we mark Stress Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to shine a light on something we all experience, but don’t always talk about. I will quickly list out some areas of focus.

Office Workers: Drowning in Deadlines

If you work in an office—whether it’s corporate, charity, admin, or anything in between—you probably know what it’s like to chase emails while juggling back-to-back meetings. The “just one more task before lunch” becomes skipping meals altogether. You push through the day only to collapse at night, mentally drained but still buzzing. Work stress can be invisible, especially when it’s emotional and mental. But it’s real—and you’re allowed to slow down.

Students: Balancing Dreams with Daily Pressure

To all the students out there—whether you're in college, uni, or doing professional training—you’re carrying more than books. There’s the pressure to succeed, fear of failure, financial strain, deadlines, and often personal battles no one sees. And let’s not forget the emotional toll of trying to find your place in the world while managing coursework. If you're tired, it's not because you're lazy—it's because you’re doing a lot. Be kind to yourself.

Manual & Physical Workers: The Silent Backbone

To the cleaners, security guards, porters, kitchen staff, delivery drivers, factory workers, and those doing the "unseen" jobs—thank you. The work you do is often taken for granted, and yet without it, society would crumble. You deal with long hours, physical exhaustion, low pay, and often, disrespect. Your stress matters. Your voice matters. You matter.

Nurses, Carers & Health Workers: Giving Even When You’re Empty

The healthcare field is built on compassion—but who cares for the carers? Nurses, support workers, mental health professionals—you give so much of yourselves to others that it’s easy to forget you’re human too. You witness trauma, you hold space for others’ pain, and

sometimes you go home with it still clinging to you. If no one has said this lately: your wellbeing matters just as much as those you care for.

Stay-at-Home Mums (and Dads) and Carers: The 24/7 Job with No Clock-Out

Parenting is a full-time role, with no sick days, no holiday allowance, and very little recognition. Whether you're changing nappies, managing tantrums, or just trying to have an adult conversation during the day—it’s emotionally and physically draining. The world often underestimates the labour of stay-at-home parents, but the stress is real, and it deserves validation.

So... What Can We Do?

Let’s be honest: we can’t remove all stress. But we can acknowledge it, talk about it, and learn healthier ways to respond to it. We can normalise rest without guilt. We can stop glorifying burnout and start celebrating balance.

Here are a few gentle reminders for Stress Awareness Month:

· Talk about it. With a friend, a support worker, a therapist, or even in a journal. Your feelings are valid.

· Breathe intentionally. Deep, slow breaths send calming signals to your nervous system.

· Take micro-breaks. Even a few minutes away from your workspace, your chores, or your screen can help.

· Protect your mind. Say no when you need to. Set boundaries. Prioritise peace.

· Check in with others. A simple "how are you really doing?" can mean the world.

This April let’s make space for stress—not to feed it, but to understand it, name it, and find better ways to carry it. Let’s stop pretending we’re fine when we’re not. Let’s talk openly, rest unapologetically, and support each other more intentionally.

Because behind every strong face is a story—and every story deserves compassion.

You are not alone.

From Me to You

If you’re reading this and nodding quietly to yourself… you’re not alone. This world can be a lot. Sometimes we carry too much without realising it, until our body, mind, or soul says “enough.” This month is your reminder to listen—to yourself, to your needs, to the stress you’ve been brushing off.

Take breaks. Ask for help. Let go of the pressure to do it all.

We’re all just trying to do our best. And that’s more than enough.

Take care of yourself—gently, intentionally, and often.

Regards,

Oluwakemisola!