Stress Awareness Month: One small step at a time
- Tanya
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
April is Stress Awareness Month and many will know this is something I’m really passionate about. I’ve had my own experiences of stress tipping into overwhelm, burnout and depression, and alongside my work in mental health, it’s something I feel strongly about supporting others with.
This year’s theme — #BeTheChange — which asks us one simple question:
“What’s one thing I can do for myself today to relieve stress?”
Not everything. Not a long list. Just one small thing. And that feels important, because most of us are already juggling a lot!
Stress doesn’t always shout
Stress isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it shows up as anxiety or overwhelm. But other times it’s much quieter — poor sleep, feeling tense, low energy, or just not quite feeling like yourself.
It can build up slowly in the background while we carry on, doing what needs to be done. And we often tell ourselves we’ll deal with it later… when things calm down a bit.
But life doesn’t always give us that pause and soon these feelings become the norm.
So what does “being the change” actually look like?
This isn't about doing something big or dramatic, it’s about the small, everyday choices. For instance, it might be:
Saying no when you would usually say yes
Taking a proper lunch break (and not feeling guilty about it)
Going to bed a bit earlier
Asking for support
Or simply giving yourself permission to rest
They don’t look like much on their own… but they really do add up.
Why small moments matter more than we think
There’s something really reassuring to understand here.
Our body has a built-in stress response (often called fight, flight or freeze)…but it also has an equally powerful relaxation response.
And the two can’t fully exist at the same time.
So when we create even small moments of calm, like pausing, breathing, resting, or slowing down, we’re gently signalling to the body that it’s safe.
That’s when the nervous system can begin to settle. This is why those little “mini moments” (like a few slow breaths or stepping outside) and the bigger “macro moments” (like a treatment or proper rest) both matter.
They all help to calm that stress response and bring the body back into balance.
Where reflexology and Reiki come in
This is where reflexology, Reiki and complementary therapies can gently support things.
They’re not about fixing you or targeting one specific symptom.
They are about creating the right conditions for your body to slow down, reset, and feel safe enough to relax. Because when we’re constantly in that “go, go, go” mode, the body doesn’t always get the chance to switch off properly.
Having that time to lie down, be still, and be looked after — even for an hour — can make such a difference.
It’s often in those quiet moments that the body starts to soften.
Not just for when things feel hard
One thing I often say is that these treatments don’t have to be something you only turn to when things feel difficult.
They can be part of how you look after yourself regularly.
A bit like a reset you come back to, not because something is wrong, but because you want to keep things feeling balanced. And that, in itself, is a really powerful way of being the change.
A gentle place to start
If you’re not sure where to begin, it really can be something small. You could try:
Closing your eyes and taking 5 slow breaths
Stepping outside for 10 minutes to get some fresh air
Having a glass of water and actually pausing while you drink it mindfully
Turning the music up and having a sing and a little dance while making a cuppa
Booking something just for you, even if it is in a few weeks time
And I’ll share what this sometimes looks like for me…
There are days when I just sneak off to my treatment room, lie down on that super comfy couch, and close my eyes for ten minutes.
It feels like such a luxury — which probably says a lot — but it’s often exactly what I need to reset! And it really doesn’t take long to feel the benefit.
The ripple effect
When you start taking care of yourself in these small ways, you often notice little shifts.
You might feel a bit calmer. A bit more patient. A bit more like yourself again.
And that naturally carries into everything else — your relationships, your work, your day-to-day life - will all benefit!
It’s never just about that one small moment.
If you’d like to explore this a bit more
We’re holding a lovely, relaxed wellbeing event this month if you’d like to come along:
📍 Bloxham Ex Servicemen’s Hall
🗓 Sunday 12th April
⏰ 10am – 2pm
It’s a really friendly space where you can have a chat, explore different therapies, and just take a bit of time for yourself — no pressure at all.
One small question to take with you
Instead of trying to do everything, maybe just ask yourself:
“What’s one small thing I can do for myself today?”
And start there.
That’s more than enough 💛
