Stress Awareness Month 2025 #LeadWithLove
- Helen Sampson I The Uncouple Coach
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Exploring the theme of this year's Stress Awareness Month #LeadWithLove, my personal story with stress and some tips and tricks for dealing with stress from your favourite stress hacker and GP and wellness doctor Nillaesh Sonill.
The 2025 theme
April is Stress Awareness Month and this year’s theme is #LeadWithLove. We're being asked to show kindness and compassion not only to those around us but also to ourselves. In a time when chronic stress seems to shadow us like a relentless storm, addressing this issue with love and understanding is more crucial than ever.
The stress epidemic
As you likely know by this point, Uncouple's mission is to end the stress epidemic - I talk about it a lot but what does this actually look like in reality?
The term "stress epidemic" describes the widespread struggle with chronic stress, impacting mental and physical health across various populations. In fact the World Health Organisation once described stress as the "health epidemic of the 21st century".
Let's take the legal industry as an example. In a survey by the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division, 93% of junior lawyers say they felt stressed and under pressure at work, with 26% describing stress levels as ‘severe’ or ‘extreme’. Many respondents also reported feeling unable to cope with the pressure and 6.4% reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the month before they took the survey. Sadly, there are examples of lawyers that have ended their lives and yet, here we are in 2025, asking ourselves how this could have happened.
Recognising this epidemic is the critical first step toward stopping it in its tracks. This recognition needs to come from each of us as individuals but also as colleagues, employers and clients.
My journey
While working in the legal industry, I both witnessed and experienced high stress for prolonged periods. Long hours, waking in the early hours thinking about an email I'd sent, watching colleagues work through migraines, pneumonia and the like, just to meet deadlines and being shouted at by clients who thought it was acceptable to do so because they were suffering. Hurt people hurt people after all but that doesn't make it OK.
That's why this year's theme really hits home. Imagine a world where we stepped back to look at the bigger picture and at the consequences of our actions. Let's play out two scenarios of a client shouting at their lawyer. These scenarios are based on a blend of real-life events that I've either been privy to, experienced personally or been told about.
Scenario A - leading with ego
Lawyer has been in since 7am and running on a few hours of sleep because their child was sick overnight and they are a few colleagues down and are trying to cover other cases as well as their own. They urgently need to get a letter out but still haven't received approval from their client so they call them. Client shouts at the lawyer because they're frustrated that they were called whilst they were at the gym. Lawyer cannot express any frustration at client because they need to remain professional, so after another very long day at the office, they join their colleagues for some drinks but feel totally disconnected to their body. Nothing seems to help anymore, their old coping strategies are failing them and on the way home they decide to end their life because they see no other way.
Scenario B - leading with love
Lawyer has been in since 7am and running on a few hours of sleep because their child was sick overnight and they are a few colleagues down and are trying to cover other cases as well as their own. They urgently need to get a letter out but still haven't received approval from their client so they call them. Client shouts at the lawyer because they're frustrated that they were called whilst they were at the gym BUT immediately apologises for being unreasonable, stops their workout and after a brief discussion, approves the draft letter. Client is happy as there was only a short pause in their workout. Lawyer is happy that they can progress the case and goes out for a drink after work to celebrate with colleagues. Lawyer goes home to bed after a long day and sleeps well.
Just that small difference in response from the client made all the difference to them both, especially the lawyer. It just goes to show how simple leading with love actually is but how impactful it can be.
Tips for managing stress
I understand that not everyone will be able to invest the time, money and effort to work with me 1:1, so I spoke to GP and wellness doctor Nillaesh Sonill to get his top tips for handling stress:
Meditation, breathing exercises and mindfulness
In fact, mindfulness meditation, which is a type of meditation focused on present moment awareness without judgement, can help you be present and reduce stress. Research shows that just 10 minutes of daily mindfulness can decrease stress levels by 30%. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focus on your breathing and allow thoughts to flow in and out without judgment.
Exercise and spend time in nature
Whether it's brisk walks, running, weight training - exercise and getting your body moving helps you not only sleep better but stimulates the release of endorphins, that act as both mood elevators an pain relievers. They also counteract the effects of stress hormones - cortisol and adrenaline.
Spending time outdoors can significantly improve your mood. A study from Stanford University found that individuals who walk in nature report a 90% reduction in rumination compared to those who walk in urban settings. Whether it's a stroll through the park or a hike in the woods, being in nature can reduce stress and boost your wellbeing. There's a reason why forest bathing is a thing!
Setting boundaries to ensure time for self-care and rest
Self-care goes beyond being a trendy term - it's essential. Incorporate activities into your routine that spark joy for you, whether it's reading a good book, a walk along the beach or in the forest or perhaps a pottery class! Many studies confirm that regular self-care can boost physical health and enhance emotional resilience, allowing you to better support those around you.
Build a support network
Reaching out to friends, family, or colleagues can significantly relieve stress. Sharing your thoughts with someone who understands can foster connections and emotional support, making a tough situation more manageable.
Seek professional help if needed
Not seeking professional support when your mind is screaming out for it is akin to leaving a bone sticking out of your leg if you break it. You wouldn't do that, so why not get help from a professional if your mind is doing the equivalent? Stress can manifest in various ways and when left unaddressed - it can lead to serious health issues, including anxiety, depression, and chronic illnesses. Professional support provides individuals with the tools and strategies necessary to cope with stress effectively, offering a safe space to express feelings and explore underlying issues.
The power of kindness and compassion
Leading with love involves nurturing kindness towards ourselves as much as others. This means recognising when we need help and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. Engaging in acts of kindness not only uplifts those around us but also enhances our own wellbeing. Simple actions, like lending a helping hand, sharing uplifting words or even just saying sorry when you've lashed out (like in scenario B above), can improve the environment within which we exist, whether that's in the workplace, at home or in and amongst strangers. The power of kindness and compassion can make all the difference, especially in high-stress settings or when you're going through something stressful.
Reflections on Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month provides a vital opportunity to highlight the importance of tackling stress in our lives. Embracing the theme of #LeadWithLove reminds us of the power of kindness and compassion, both in our interactions with others and in how we treat ourselves.
By being more mindful of the impact our actions have on ourselves and others and applying Dr Sonill's tips as often as we can, we can all contribute to the fight against the stress epidemic. I invite you to join me on this journey to create a world where stress feels manageable and where love and compassion drive our actions.
In the spirit of taking action - whether it's you as an individual wanting to learn how to control how much stress you feel, if any, in response to all future stressors or an employer whose company and employees are being weighed down by the costs of stress, I'm here to help. Get in touch and let's discuss if working together would be the best next step.
Comments