Stress Awareness month has been recognised by the Stress Management Society (SMS) every April since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for stress.
While being able to return to service is hugely exciting and positive new for us, we understand that heightened workload, navigating change and working against tight timescales can all contribute to feeling under pressure. So, this April we’re supporting the SMS by encouraging all of you to find out more about what good and bad stress looks like, and how to review your own stress levels.
Let’s kick off the month by debunking one myth first… all stress is bad
False. As human beings we have an inbuilt ‘fight or flight’ mode that’s triggered when we feel stressed. It helps us decipher when we’re under threat and how to react. Without this, we wouldn’t have survived until now, and in the modern world, it continues to help us survive dangerous situations. So, in that sense stress is good. Stress can also give us that extra push to step outside of our comfort zone, motivate us, and encourage us to do better.
Bad stress only happens when our bodies go into a state of stress in inappropriate situations, such as when we’re running late, we’re stuck in a queue or are juggling too many tasks at one time. If we’re kept in a state of stress for long periods it can be detrimental to our health and we may feel overwhelmed, anxious, irritable and have trouble concentrating. When stress makes us feel like this, and when we continue with high levels of stress, it can cause headaches, sleep problems and tiredness.
Activities to try…
- Take the Stress Management Societies Stress Test to find out how stressed you really are. At the end of the test you’ll be given a score and a personalised report with recommendations.
- Visit The Insider for a series of webinars focussed on managing wellbeing during times of change and managing pressure. To watch, visit The Insider > Fleet/Shore > Your Wellbeing > Self serve resources
- Read our managing pressure* guide (*stress assessments for shoreside colleagues only)
- Read the Mental Health Foundations handy series of booklets available on our ‘Your wellbeing’ Insider page. Topics include; managing and reducing stress, mindfulness, and exercise.
The Cove
A series of webinars have been recorded for shore colleagues to dip in and watch when convenient. To watch, log into The Cove library and visit:
Managing Pressure & Having a Wellbeing Conversation (Four webinars, each 10 minutes) HESS > Health > Managing Pressure & Having a Wellbeing Conversation
Fleet colleagues can access the ‘Managing Pressure’ webinars via The Insider by searching ‘Managing Pressure’.
Top tips for managing stress
- Talk about it to friends, family or colleagues
- Speak to your Manager or a trusted colleague
- Spend more time on hobbies or exercise and things that you enjoy
- Try to accept the things you can’t change
- Recognise when you feel accomplished and when you feel exhausted – do more of what feels good and less of what doesn’t
- Take time out to relax
What should I do if I am feeling under pressure at work?
While not all stress is bad, we’re here to help you through periods of overwhelming pressure. If you’re feeling stressed and would like support there’s a number of ways we can help you;
- Arrange to talk to your manager about your concerns as soon as possible. Colleagues on board can also speak to their HR Manager.
- Consider contacting your Employee Assistance Programme helpline for support – find out more about the shore and ship services.
- If ashore you may wish to see your GP, book a virtual GP appointment or use Carnival UK’s occupational health service if you feel your health is being affected – speak to your manager if you’d like to be referred to occupational health. Colleagues on board should visit the medical centre during clinic times to receive support from the medical team.
- Visit The Insider ‘Your wellbeing’ pages to discover alternative support options including speaking to a mental health champion.
I’m a manager. How can I help my team manage pressure?
Make sure you know how to have a wellbeing conversation with your team. Access the wellbeing user guide here. This is also available via The Insider > Fleet/Shore > Your Wellbeing > Self serve resources
All line managers can access manager support on a variety of topics via our Employee Assistance Programme. To access, log into your EAP account or give them a call on the details listed here.
The Cove
A series of tools have been created for you shore Managers to dip in and use when convenient. To access, log into The Cove library. Shore Managers can also access a wealth of stress related tool and resources on Good Practice. To access, log into Good Practice and search ‘Stress’.
This month we’ll be sharing stories and top tips to help raise awareness of stress. Keep a look out for activities and opportunities to get involved.