April marks Stress Awareness Month, created to raise awareness on causes of stress, how to fight them effectively and where to look for help. It has become an invaluable resource for anyone struggling and this year's Stress Awareness Month theme is dedicated to the “Community”.Work-related stress - what is it and is there anything to worry about?

The answer is YES.

Work-related stress is very dangerous. Long term, it might lead to mental health problems such as serious anxiety or depression. An unhealthy relationship within the workplace will eventually lead to a lack of motivation.

The main causes of work-related stress are:

• Overwhelming workload
• Poor communication with management
• Going back to the place of work after a long period of working from home
• Poor work-life balance which has developed over the past 2 years

Having clear conversations about mental health should be a key priority in the workplace. Other initiatives that should be taken are as simple as providing additional training when tasks are out of one's abilities, effective planning and providing employee support. These can significantly reduce pressure and lower stress levels. However, we cannot put the whole responsibility for the problem on our workplace and need to take care of our mental health before it is too late.

What can you do to help yourself reduce increasing stress levels?

The first and most important point is to talk to others about the issue and not be ashamed. As the situation is very natural, there will definitely be people willing to listen and give advice.

Ask others to share their coping mechanisms and speak about what has worked in the past. There isn't one effective recipe for getting rid of stress as we are all different, so it is in fact, a trial and error method.

Another very important thing is to stay alert. Be aware of the situation and monitor how you are feeling. It is important to listen to yourself but also listen to those closest to you.

If your workload is overwhelming, speak to your manager and be clear in communicating the issue. Perhaps they will be able to provide additional training or help if the situation is very serious and when it comes to workload, try to balance all the tasks.

It's no secret that the workplace can be a stressful environment. From tight deadlines to office politics, there are many things that can add to our stress levels. However, it is possible to reduce stress levels in the workplace, and here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Take regular breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress levels. Taking a few minutes away from your desk to take a walk or grab a cup of tea can help you to refocus and recharge
2. Communicate: If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important to communicate this to your colleagues and managers. Talking to someone about your workload can help to reduce stress and can also help to identify any solutions
3. Prioritise: It can be difficult to manage a heavy workload, but prioritising tasks can help to reduce stress levels. Make a list of tasks and order them according to importance. This can help to ensure that the most important tasks are completed first
4. Ask for help: If you feel like you are struggling to manage your workload, then don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your colleagues and managers can provide support and assistance 
5. Exercise:  Exercise can be a great way to reduce stress levels. Taking part in physical activity can help to clear your mind and boost your mood
6. Get organised: Being organised can help to reduce stress. Having a clear plan and structure can help to make tasks easier to manage and can help to reduce any feelings of overwhelm

By following these tips, you can help to reduce stress levels in the workplace and create a more positive working environment.