Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 15-21 May this year, which serves as a reminder to take care of our mental health and well-being.

This is especially important for tradespeople in the UK who are often faced with demanding workloads, tight deadlines, and physical labour that can take a toll on their mental and physical health.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the statistics around stress and tradespeople in the UK and offer tips on managing stress.

Stats

According to a survey conducted by the British Safety Council, 44% of tradespeople reported feeling stressed at work. This is higher than the national average of 36%. The survey also found that 30% of tradespeople felt that their job negatively affected their mental health.

Additionally, a study by the Institute for Employment Studies found that 30% of construction workers reported experiencing high-stress levels, and 26% reported that their job was affecting their mental health. The study also found that work-related stress was more common among manual workers than among non-manual workers.

Tips for managing stress

These statistics highlight the importance of addressing stress in the trade industry. Here are some tips for managing stress:

1. Prioritise self-care

Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly. These practices can help reduce stress levels.

2. Take breaks

It's important to take breaks throughout the day to rest your mind and body. Even a short break can help you recharge and refocus.

3. Seek support

Don't be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support. Talking about your feelings can help alleviate stress.

4. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help calm the mind and reduce stress.

5. Set boundaries

Set boundaries for yourself to prevent work from bleeding into your personal life. This can include setting specific work hours and not checking work emails after hours.

6. Use software 

Job management software can help you reduce your stress at work. Apps like Powered Now can help you manage your jobs and teams from anywhere in just a few clicks, make sure you have all the paperwork in one place, digitise your business and avoid manual processes. It also gives you more visibility of your work and it's affordable.

Read more: How Job Management Software can help your trade business

Wrapping up

In conclusion, Stress Awareness Month is an important reminder for tradespeople in the UK to prioritise their mental health and well-being. By taking steps to manage stress, such as practising self-care, taking breaks, seeking support, practising mindfulness, and setting boundaries, tradespeople can improve their mental and physical health, leading to a more fulfilling and sustainable career.