It’s International Stress Awareness Week, where we look at raising awareness about the modern stress epidemic and to promote the importance of well-being and stress reduction. It’s an opportunity for individuals and organisations to come together and share information, resources, and strategies for addressing and mitigating stress, and there are some great books out there trying to do the same. This year, the week runs from the October 20th to the November 3rd.
What is International Stress Awareness Week?
International Stress Awareness Week was created in 2018 to raise awareness about stress prevention, following the establishment of Stress Awareness Day in 1998. It was created by the International Stress Management Association in a bid to improve the ways in which stress is managed in the workplace and in our personal lives.
An alarming 74% of individuals report struggling with the stress levels they experience, underscoring the critical importance of stress management in today’s world. The psychological impact of stress is profound, with 61% of people feeling anxious and a concerning 32% having suicidal thoughts.
Some key aspects of International Stress Awareness Week include:
- Raising awareness: The week serves to highlight the causes and effects of stress on individuals, communities, and workplaces. By creating awareness, it encourages individuals and organisations to take action.
- Education: Events, workshops, and seminars often take place during this week, offering information on understanding stress, its sources, and effective coping mechanisms.
- Promotion of stress management techniques: Various stress-relief and management techniques, from mindfulness and meditation to exercise and time management, are promoted during this week.
- Encouraging open conversations: The week provides a platform for people to discuss their experiences with stress, which can help in destigmatising mental health challenges and creating a more supportive environment.
- Supporting research: It also serves to emphasise the importance of research into stress, its causes, and potential interventions.
What is the theme for Stress Awareness Week 2023?
The theme this year is “Beyond Stress Management: From Stigma to Solutions.” American-born award-winning British psychologist Professor Sir Cary Cooper CBE said: “Stress manifests itself in many facets of people’s lives and statistics show that stress and mental health-related issues are increasing since the pandemic. Therefore, we need to amplify our efforts to address these issues, seeking to reduce their adverse effects, as well as the stigma that continues to attach to them.”
Books to check out for Stress Awareness Week 2023:
Licensed clinical psychologist and author Ramani Durvasula, Marni Amsellem, Ph.D. as well sas Sheela Raja, Ph.D. have recommended these books below.
- “The Reality Slap” by Russ Harris. Navigating life’s painful moments through acceptance and commitment therapy, cultivating resilience and meaningful connection.
- “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. A guide to spiritual enlightenment, emphasising present moment awareness and transcending thought to find peace.
- “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Holocaust survivor Frankl explores finding purpose in suffering and life’s existential challenges, showcasing logotherapy.
- “Buddha’s Brain” by Rick Hanson. Integrating neuroscience and mindfulness, Hanson examines the brain’s evolution and potential for happiness, love, and wisdom.
- “Scarcity” by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir. Investigating how scarcity – lacking time or resources – impacts cognition, decision-making, and daily life.
- “Grit” by Angela Duckworth. Duckworth examines the power of passion and perseverance, arguing that grit, not talent, drives long-term success.
- “The Stress-Proof Brain” by Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D. Using neuroscience and psychology, Greenberg offers strategies for resilience and emotional balance amid stress.
- “Full Catastrophe Living” by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Introducing mindfulness-based stress reduction, Kabat-Zinn highlights meditation and mindfulness for healing and well-being.
We’ve covered a lot on stress! For one, we spoke to The Stress Code author Richard Sutton, The End of Stress writer Don Joseph Goewey as well as Dr Nerina Ramlakhan on how it affects our nervous system.
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