This Stress Awareness Month, we’re sharing practical tips on managing stress, recognising the signs in your colleagues, and offering meaningful support.
Recognising Signs of Stress in Your Team
Recognising signs of stress in your team is a vital part of supporting employee wellbeing.
Here are some common areas to watch for:
1. Changes in Behaviour
Look out for increased absenteeism, withdrawal from colleagues, changes in self-care, or shifts in work habits—like working excessively or becoming disengaged.
2. Changes in Thinking and Feelings
Frequent mood swings, irritability, loss of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and negative thinking patterns can all be indicators that someone is struggling.
3. Changes in Work Performance
Noticeable drops in productivity, more frequent mistakes, procrastinating or changes in communication and working style may be signs of underlying stress.
4. Physical Symptoms
Fatigue, sleep disturbances, physical aches, or changes in appetite can also reflect mental strain.
⚠️ Not everyone will show the same signs, and it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Approach with empathy, openness, and support. Sometimes, simply creating space for a conversation can be powerful.
Instant stressbusters
Here are 4 proven techniques to reset your mind and body:
💪 Exercise – A brisk 10-minute walk can lower stress hormones & boost your mood. Do some squats or press-ups. Run around with your dog or dance it off!
🗣️ Conversation – Talking to someone you trust helps release built-up stress. ‘A problem shared is a problem halved.’ OR Write it all down instead, either in a beautiful journal or scrap paper and shred afterwards…
🧘♂️ Meditation & Relaxation – Just 5 minutes of deep breathing can calm your nervous system. Try ‘Box-breathing’ or ‘Combat breathing, as the Navy Seals call it (same thing though!) Schedule in some hobby time and listen to a calming playlist from your music App or a bespoke playlist you’ve created yourself.
😴 Sleep – Prioritising quality sleep helps regulate emotions & improve resilience. Get an early night in & ‘sleep on it’ – as they say! Most adults need between 7-9 hours per day.
4 ways to beat the grind and have better brain health – N.E.T.S™
A health factor that often gets overlooked is Brain Health.
We talk about what the Neuroscience recommends for better brain health in our Psychological Safety training – we recommend it for all round health improvements.
Think N.E.T.S™
🔹 Nutrition – Eating ‘good’ fats, vegetables & a diet rich in antioxidants benefits your immune system and your brain’s resilience.
🔹 Exercise – Regular exercise increases the availability of protective chemicals so that your brain is more resilient.
🔹 Training – This refers to ‘brain training’ through simple daily focused meditation or mindfulness to reduce the impact of stress on your brain.
🔹 Sleep – Your brain needs REM sleep to process millions of daily inputs.
Asking Helpful Questions:
This is a powerful tool when feeling stressed. Ask yourself—or encourage your team to ask—the following:
- What can I change?
- What needs my urgent attention?
- Who could help me?
- What helpful coping strategies do I use?
- what unhelpful strategies do I use?
What one thing would make a difference right now?
Training that can help you better support your team
Spotting signs of stress and learning how best to approach and support is a topic we cover in our Mental Health First Aid Training and our Mental Health Awareness course for all staff – get in touch if your team could benefit from this training.
Alternatively, it’s also a topic I regularly cover at speaking events. If you’d like me to speak to your team or run training that strengthens wellbeing and resilience, get in touch: chinwag@andyelwood.com.
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s lead with empathy, take action, and build stronger, healthier teams—together.
