Practical steps to manage stress - starting today

7 April 2026

April is Stress Awareness Month and this year’s theme is ‘Be the Change’. It’s a call to personal agency and taking action, and it’s a reminder to ask ourselves what we can do to manage stress.

Before we can do that, we need to understand what it is.

Stress is a natural, bodily response to pressure, challenge or perceived threat. It’s helpful in small doses - it can keep us focused and motivated by providing a boost of adrenaline.

But too much can negatively impact our mood, making us anxious and irritable. Left unchecked, in the long term it can lead to mental and physical exhaustion: the dreaded burnout.

Causes of stress include work, study or home pressures, money worries and big life changes.

Some common signs and symptoms include feeling angry, irritable, tearful, or overwhelmed. You might have racing thoughts or headaches, or feel sick and dizzy.

What can you do, today, to manage your stress?

Taking action now can help prevent your stress getting worse. Check out these tips for starters.

Try self-help techniques: NHS Wales provides free access to SilverCloud’s online course for mild-to-moderate stress. Self-refer online and spend just 20 minutes a day, three times a week. You’ll learn practical skills for managing stress, building resilience and improving self-esteem.

Be more active: activity is a natural stress-buster. It helps burn off nervous energy, boosts mood and reduces tension. You don’t need to run a marathon or climb a mountain. Find advice here on staying active whilst living with a health condition.

Avoid unhealthy habits: Don't lean on nicotine, alcohol and caffeine to help you cope. They might feel like a short-term fix, but they could be setting you up for more problems further down the line. For help giving up smoking, get in touch with Help Me Quit.

Talk to someone: Reach out to your GP, or to friends, family or colleagues. Find social connection through organisations such as Men’s Sheds Cymru. For round-the-clock mental health support, call the NHS Wales ‘111’ service, and select option 2.

Plan ahead: Got a stressful day or event on the horizon? Plan it out, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks and make to-do-lists to avoid overwhelm.