Stress Awareness Month 2025: #LeadWithLove
April is Stress Awareness Month, and this year’s theme—#LeadWithLove—asks us to show up for ourselves and others with unconditional positive regard: kindness, compassion, and acceptance, no matter what we’re facing.
It’s a simple idea, but a powerful one. Stress touches all of our lives, especially as single parents, and in those hard moments, the most healing thing we can do is to respond with love—especially toward ourselves.
Be Curious About Stress
One of the kindest ways we can approach stress is with curiosity. When we’re curious, we’re not judging or criticising—we’re gently asking, “What’s going on for me right now?”
As one volunteer put it:
“Our body and mind are sending us messages all of the time—and we fail to listen to them in our busy lives. Then they get louder or things break.”
Being curious gives us space to notice how stress is showing up and to respond with care, not criticism.
What Stress Feels Like
Stress looks different for everyone, but there are some common threads. Our volunteers shared their personal experiences of how it shows up for them:
“I find when I’m stressed I notice it in my body—I get tense shoulders and knotted up and don’t feel like eating.”
“I struggle to concentrate and can feel out of control of my senses. I get easily distracted or I procrastinate—or a mix of both!”
These responses are natural reactions to pressure. Stress can cloud our thoughts, tighten our bodies, and make us feel disconnected. And yet, it’s also temporary. It will pass.
Compassion and Connection
One volunteer recently shared something that many of us can relate to:
"I know for me that when I'm dealing with stressful things, I have a tendency to elevate my own stress levels as I have a very strong self-critical voice. I kind of beat myself up because I'm struggling or finding something difficult to navigate, if that makes sense."
Despite doing so many helpful things—like yoga, exercise, journalling, reading, and even meditation—they admitted something really important:
"I still struggle. So I'm really trying to start to talk kindly to myself when I'm dealing with something difficult."
They shared a few phrases that help shift their inner voice:
“We’re all made of strength and struggle.” (for when we compare ourselves to others)
“This is real but not true.” (for those self-critical thoughts)
“Lastly, I have a tendency to isolate when I'm struggling because I don't want to be a bother, so I am starting to get in touch with people who care about me when I am stressed. This really helps.”
Ways We Cope—with Love
Here’s how our volunteers care for themselves when stress starts to build:
“Talk it out with a loved one or friend—to help resolve the issue or just to help diffuse the stress if it gets too much.”
“Get involved in something practical—cleaning, playing with my cats, taking the kids out. It helps me get out of my head.”
“Play a game on my phone or watch a drama—something light and easy to get absorbed in.”
“Light a lavender candle—you know me!”
“Have a camomile tea. Just that little moment of calm can really help.”
“Do something active like dancing, singing or walking—it helps break that stress cycle.”
And some other thoughtful tips shared:
Use grounding techniques and deep breathing to calm your nervous system
Keep up with basic self-care: small meals, hydration, sleep
Check in: Am I safe? Are the kids safe? Can this wait?
Write a list of things to do—but be realistic. “One thing per day is fine.”
“I often tell myself: This will pass. In 10 years’ time, this won’t even matter.”
Lead With Love
Stress is a normal part of life—but so is compassion. And when we can meet our stress with patience, presence, and a little curiosity, we give ourselves room to breathe. To recover. To grow.
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s #LeadWithLove.
Let’s listen to our bodies, check in with our minds, and remember:
You are not alone. You are doing enough.
And this moment—however hard—will pass.
Family Art Event for World Mental Health Week in Partnership with Mental Health Foundation
Theme: Community
Facilitated by Sarah from Art Cupboard
Location:
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
Details:
Join us during World Mental Health Week for a relaxed and welcoming family art session celebrating the power of community, creativity, and connection.
Led by the wonderful Sarah from Art Cupboard, this event invites all ages and all art abilities to take part in a collective creative journey. Each participant will create their own unique interpretation of community, and Sarah will guide everyone in bringing these individual pieces together into one large collaborative artwork.
Whether you're painting, drawing, or simply enjoying the process, no experience is needed—just come as you are.
Refreshments will be provided, so you can relax and enjoy a cuppa while you create.
Ages:
All ages welcome – this is a family-friendly event designed for everyone to enjoy together
This event is run in partnership with and funded by the Mental Health Foundation as part of World Mental Health Week.
Free to attend.
Book your spot at our MHAW event HERE