April marks Stress Awareness Month — a time to pause, reflect and take positive steps toward managing stress in our daily lives.

This year’s theme, #BeTheChange, invites each of us to take small, meaningful actions that support our own wellbeing and help create a healthier working environment for everyone.

In 2024/25, the Health and Safety Executive reported that 964,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, and around 1 in 4 employees say they feel unable to cope with stress at work. These figures highlight why it’s more important than ever for us — as colleagues, teams and an organisation — to take steps that protect our mental health and support one another.

At the University of Sussex, we understand that stress affects each of us differently — and we’re committed to supporting staff with tools, resources and safe spaces to help you manage challenges both inside and outside of work.

This year’s theme: #BeTheChange

#BeTheChange is a call to action — encouraging intentional, achievable steps that build resilience and strengthen our connections at work. This theme reminds us that real and lasting change often comes from within, and that even the smallest actions can have a positive impact on our wellbeing.

What can you do — one step at a time?

Here are a few simple 30‑day challenges you can try throughout April:

1. Build a daily stress‑reduction habit

Choose one small action and practise it every day for 30 days.

• 10 minute walk
• A screen break
• Mindful pause between meetings

2. Challenge a limiting belief

Reframe unhelpful thoughts into constructive ones once a day (e.g. ‘I can do this one step at a time’).

3. Establish three micro‑habits

Movement breaks, short reflections, or quick wellbeing check-ins can help improve focus and energy.

4. Practise presence

Bring mindful awareness into three small moments of your workday for example:

• pause before meetings, taking a moment to notice how you feel and set an intention for that meeting.
• pause before switching task, take a minute before jumping into the next thing
• or use a break to practice breathing techniques, stretching or mentally resetting.

I can personally recommend booking a yoga class with Sussex Sport! https://www.sussex.ac.uk/sport/facilities/groupfitness

5. Ask one constructive question daily

Examples include:

• “What is one thing I can influence today?”
• “What support do I need right now?”

 6. Share your progress weekly

Posting within your Teams chat, Viva Engage or personal social media helps build momentum and encourages others to take part.

7. Engage with wellbeing resources

Take a look at the Staff Wellbeing Hub – Stress and Resilience pages to read different resources each week of April.

Explore the Staff Wellbeing Hub, where you’ll find:

• Stress and Resilience resources
• Stress Risk Assessments
• Wellness Action Plans
• Mental Health First Aider information
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) login details
• Practical guides to support your wellbeing

LinkedIn Learning

Check out Organisational Development’s recommended LinkedIn Learning courses on a range of topics, including mindful stress management, and tools to help you manage stress.

Upcoming webinar sessions: Stress and Anxiety – Focusing on Change in the Workplace

Join Heales Medical, our Occupational Health provider, for an online webinar exploring stress in the workplace.

This session will cover the key causes of workplace stress, its impact on individuals and teams, managing change at work, and the support options available to help you and your colleagues stay well.

The content is identical in both — simply choose the time that suits you.

These sessions cover:

• What are the primary causes of workplace stress?
  •    Workplace stress statistics
  •    Coping with changes in the workplace
  •    Using HR and EAP programmes
  •    Maintaining work/life boundaries

Sessions:

• Tuesday 31 March | 10.30–11.30am
• Tuesday 21 April | 10–11am

Reserve your space at any of the above webinars: https://sussex.learnupon.com/content-details/4953377/0

Finally - Let’s look after ourselves — and each other. 

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