Stress Awareness Month 2025: A Time to Reflect and Take Action
April marks National Stress Awareness Month, an opportune time to examine one of the most significant challenges facing today’s workforce: job stress and workplace incivility. In our increasingly demanding work environments, understanding how stress affects our mental and physical wellbeing has never been more crucial.
The Alarming Reality of Workplace Stress
Workplace stress has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. In 2025, stress is now recognized as one of the leading causes of absenteeism, burnout, and healthcare costs. The statistics paint a concerning picture:
- Workplace stress has been reported to cause 120,000 deaths in the US each year
- Nearly one in five US adults live with a mental illness
- Approximately 65% of U.S. workers have characterized work as being a very significant or somewhat significant source of stress
- Employees take around 18 days off a year to deal with stress, depression, or anxiety, compared to only about 10 days for injuries
Workplace Incivility: A Growing Concern
One significant contributor to workplace stress is incivility – those seemingly minor but impactful acts of rudeness, disrespect, or dismissive behavior that damage workplace relationships and culture. Recent research by SHRM revealed that 2 in 3 employees have experienced or witnessed incivility at work in the past month.
In total, 98% of employees have reported having experienced incivility at the workplace, with half of them facing incivility on a weekly basis. The consequences of this widespread problem are far-reaching and include:
- Nearly everybody who experiences workplace incivility somehow settles the score—with their offender and the organization
- Incivility at work is related to statistically significant differences in key indicators of health, stress, well-being, recovery, and the psychosocial work environment
- Employees who had witnessed or experienced incivility are less likely to be their authentic selves at work, less likely to believe they can share their honest thoughts without fear, and more likely to believe they must filter much of what they say
The Impact on Mental and Physical Health
The toll of chronic workplace stress extends far beyond just feeling overwhelmed. Research shows clear connections between ongoing work stress and serious health concerns:
- People with work-related chronic stress have a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Three quarters of American workers report work stress is affecting their personal lives
- Long-term stress is associated with diabetes and obesity, which significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
- A survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. employees found that 75% report experiencing some form of low mood, largely driven by politics and current events
For more information about the physical impacts of stress, visit our page on Chronic Pain and Mental Health.
Coping Strategies for Workplace Stress
Effectively managing workplace stress requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some evidence-based strategies that can help:
1. Problem-Focused Strategies
Problem-focused coping addresses the root causes of stress directly:
- Active coping, planning, restraint coping, and suppression of competing activities are all effective problem-focused approaches
- Set specific times for checking emails and messages rather than being in a constant state of response mode
- Taking control is empowering and a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you
For more guidance on addressing core issues, check out our article on Understanding Stress: The Effects of Stress and Coping With Them.
2. Emotion-Focused Strategies
These strategies help regulate emotional responses to stressors:
- Positive reframing, acceptance, turning to religion, and humor can help manage emotional responses to stress
- Practice gratitude. Take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities
- End each workday by writing down three things that went well
Learn more about emotional well-being at our Signs of Mental and Emotional Exhaustion page.
3. Physical Wellness Approaches
Taking care of your physical health is crucial for stress management:
- Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress
- Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body
- Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it can reduce emotional intensity, clearing your thoughts
- Take strategic 5-minute pauses throughout your day. Stand up, stretch, or do a lap around the office
For more on sleep health, visit our article REST. Sleep Better at Night.
4. Social Support
Connecting with others is a powerful buffer against stress:
- Evidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, often become more resilient
- PSP who reported doing better tended to attribute their success to treatment, specifically psychotherapy, either alone or in combination with other interventions, and almost always emphasizing important supports from co-workers, families, and friends
Learn more about the importance of connection in our article on The Link Between Social Isolation and Depression.
5. Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for managing workplace stress:
- Practice deep breathing and meditation techniques
- Take short mindfulness breaks throughout your workday
- Use grounding exercises when feeling overwhelmed
Explore more at our Mindfulness and Mental Health page.
Organizational Approaches to Stress Management
While individual coping strategies are important, organizations also play a critical role in addressing workplace stress and incivility:
- Organization-focused interventions include organizational development and job redesign
- Employers can reduce workplace conflict and incivility by surveying employees to identify where incivility exists, praising employees for positive performances, and creating diverse teams where different perspectives can be heard
- Stress management programs teach workers about the nature and sources of stress, the effects of stress on health, and personal skills to reduce stress
For leaders looking to create healthier workplaces, learn more about the principles behind D’Amore’s approach in our article on Gracious Redundancy and Teamwork.
When Stress Becomes Overwhelming
Sometimes, workplace stress can become too much to handle alone. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it may be time to seek professional help:
- Persistent feelings of anxiety or depression
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues
- Using substances to cope with stress
Learn more about these warning signs at our pages on Stress vs. Anxiety and Signs of Burnout & How to Get Help.
D’Amore’s Employee Wellness Program: A Holistic Approach to Workplace Wellbeing
At D’Amore Mental Health, we understand that a supportive workplace environment is essential for both individual wellbeing and organizational success. Our Employee Wellness Program takes a comprehensive approach to addressing workplace stress and incivility through:
- Confidential counseling services for employees experiencing stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges
- Training programs for managers and supervisors on recognizing signs of stress in team members
- Workshops on effective communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a respectful workplace
- Mindfulness and stress management resources, including guided meditations and breathing exercises
- Regular wellness activities that promote physical health and social connection
- Organizational consulting to help companies create policies and practices that support employee wellbeing
Our program is based on D’Amore’s established expertise in mental health treatment and our commitment to creating environments that foster health and healing. By addressing workplace stress proactively, we help organizations build more resilient, productive, and positive workplace cultures.
Help is Available
As we observe Stress Awareness Month, let’s recognize that addressing job stress and workplace incivility requires both individual and organizational commitment. By implementing effective coping strategies and creating supportive workplace environments, we can reduce the toll of stress on our health, relationships, and work performance.
Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you’re experiencing overwhelming stress, reach out to mental health professionals who can provide the support and guidance you need through our inpatient or outpatient treatment programs.
For more information about D’Amore’s Employee Wellness Program or our other mental health services, visit damorementalhealth.com or call us at (714) 868-7593.
