Stress Awareness Month - #LeadWithLove: Kindness, Compassion, and Mental Health
- Slanjava Learning Ltd.
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
April marks Stress Awareness Month in the UK, a time to reflect on how stress impacts our daily lives, how we cope, and how we support others. The 2025 theme, #LeadWithLove, is a powerful reminder to approach ourselves and those around us with kindness, compassion, and acceptance - no matter what challenges we face.
At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we believe in the power of connection and education to build mentally healthy workplaces and communities. This month, we're raising awareness of stress and burnout, sharing practical coping tips and highlighting how our accredited First Aid for Mental Health courses can equip you with skills to support yourself and others.
What is Stress?
Stress is the body's natural response to pressure or demand. While a small amount of stress can be motivating, prolonged or overwhelming stress can affect our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Common signs of stress include:
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
Irritability or mood swings
Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Muscle tension or headaches
feeling withdrawn or disconnected
Understanding your stress triggers is the first step toward managing them.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustions caused by prolonged stress - especially in work or caregiving roles.
The World Health Organization recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon, marked by:
Feeling depleted or drained
Increased mental distance from your job
Reduced professional efficacy
A sene of helplessness or disillusionment
Burnout isn't a personal failure. It's a sign that something in your environment, workload, or support system may need to change.
How Can We Cope with Stress and Prevent Burnout?
This year's #LeadWithLove theme encourages us to look beyond productivity and perfection, and instead prioritise compassionate action. That includes:
For Yourself:
Check in daily - notice how you're feeling, without judgement.
Set boundaries - it's ok to say no and protect your time.
Prioritise rest - sleep, breaks, and downtime are essential, not optional.
Stay connected - reach out to trusted friends, colleagues, or support services.
Practice self-compassion - speak to yourself the way you would to a loved one.
For Others:
Listen without fixing - sometimes the most powerful support is simple being there.
Offer kindness - a kind word or gesture can go further than you think.
Notice changes - if someone's behaviour has changed, gently ask hoe
Model vulnerability - share your own struggles appropriately to build trust.
Create safe spaces - for conversations about stress, mental health, and wellbeing.
Download Your Free Stress Awareness Checklist
As part of Stress Awareness Month 2025, we've created a free, printable checklist to help you pause, reflect, and lead with love - starting with yourself.
Whether you're feeling the early signs of stress or navigating the deeper fatigue of burnout, this resource is here to support you with simple, compassionate prompts across key areas.
Download the checklist below:
You can print it, pin it to your noticeboard, or use it a a journaling tool throughout April.
Because when we take time to check in with ourselves, we make more space to show up for others - calmer, clearer, and kinder.
Support That Makes a Difference: First Aid for Mental Health Training
At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we offer accredited First Aid for Mental Health training, designed to help you:
Understand common mental health conditions
Recognise the signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and more
Have supportive conversations with individuals in distress
Encourage early help-seeking and signposting
Reduce stigma and build a compassionate culture at work or in the community.
Whether you're a manager, frontline worker, team member, or caring peer - this training helps you #LeadWithLove in a practical, informed way.
It's Okay Not to Be Okay
Stress is a part of life, but how we repsond to it is what shapes our collective. This April, let's all take a moment to pause, breathe, and lead with love.
Let's build a world where mental health is understood, supported and never ignored.
Interested in learning more? You can book onto one of our accredited First Aid for Mental Health courses by calling 0141 459 0894 or emailing hello@slanjavalearning.co.uk
Kind regards,
Slanjava Learning
-slàinte mhath-
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog post is provided for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.
While our First Aid for Mental Health courses offer valuable skills to help support others, they are not a replacement for clinical intervention or therapeutic care.
Slanajava Learning Ltd accepts no liability for any actions taken based on this content. Please use your judgement and seek appropriate support when offering help to others, whether in personal, community, or professional settings.
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