Stress Awareness Month: Staff resources, support and events

Stress Awareness Month runs each April, dedicated to increasing awareness of the causes, effects, and management of stress.

This month we’re reminding staff of the tools and resources available at LJMU to help you to better understand and cope with stress. This is part of our commitment to providing a holistic package of services and resources to support staff, and student, wellbeing via the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

There are also a host of events and activities which you can get involved with throughout April, and beyond.

What is stress?

Stress is a physical response to pressure. It is very common, can motivate us to achieve our goals and help us meet the demands of home, work and family life, however too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships, especially when it feels out of control.

Experiencing high levels of stress for prolonged periods is potentially harmful to our physical health, linked to problems like heart disease, insomnia, immune system and digestion disorders, and is a significant factor in developing mental health problems including anxiety and depression. Feeling worried, irritable and having low self-esteem can all be signs you are experiencing excessive stress.

Stress affects everyone differently, so we need to understand what is causing our own personal stress and learn ways that we can actively reduce it for ourselves, as well as those around us. The good news is that by using the tools and resources available at LJMU we can start to reduce its effects.

Visit the Staff Wellbeing Hub to explore information, resources and guidance available designed to help you cope with stress, make mindful decisions, and implement meaningful actions every day.

You might like to try out this month’s LinkedIn Learning Challenge to get you started.

April LinkedIn Learning Challenge

Events and activities for April

Making time for self-care, finding a new hobby, increasing activity, and meeting new people can help you manage the symptoms of stress.

We have various events and opportunities to get involved with this month:

• Bibliotherapy (reading and writing for wellbeing) – various dates, Student Life Building
• Spring plant pot painting – Wednesday 15 April, 12.30pm to 2pm, Exchange Station
• Dr Bike Clinic – Mon 20 April, James Parsons Building
• Air dry clay modelling – Tuesday 28 April, 12noon to 1pm, Redmonds Building
• Crochet for beginners series – Wednesday lunchtimes, starting 29 April, James Parsons Building
• Weekly timetable of activities from LJMU Move – join the gym or attend a free taster session
• Weekly Yoga - Wednesdays, 4pm to 5pm Exchange Station
• Menopause support – join the Microsoft Teams space and take part in fortnightly Menopause Yoga on Tuesdays and monthly Menopause Cafés, the next one ‘Menopause & Managing Stress’ is Tuesday 14 April, 12noon to 1pm, Student Life Building
• Gardening – get involved with the Get Growing Project at Tithebarn Building – volunteers needed
• Get involved with team/community events such as the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Boat Race on Sunday 10 May
• Join one of D&I Staff Networks - meet individuals who are committed to raising awareness of issues relevant to them, fostering connections and building a better society for all

If you are interested in attending any of the above, please book via the Staff Events page.

We continue to add events throughout the year which we hope will support you and help you manage your wellbeing.

Further support

If you feel you need to talk to someone, confidential advice and support is available from our LJMU Connectors, who are on hand to provide peer support and make sure you have access to the appropriate resources and services.

You can also use the EAP service to speak to a trained counsellor 24/7, 365 days a year, call 0330 380 0658 or visit the website.