Feeling the strain

April is Stress Awareness Month, with human health and social work being named as the most stressful industry to work in

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992, with the Stress Management Society naming stress and poor mental health as one of the biggest public health challenges the world faces today.

A study conducted by personal injury site claims.co.uk revealed that the human health and social work industry has the most impact from stress, with 3,530 out of the 100,000 workers surveyed impacted by stress at work.

Emma Wedgwood, aesthetic nurse, and founder of Emma Wedgwood Aesthetics, integrates three key practices into her routine to maintain balance.

“Stress is a natural part of work life, and managing a business introduces stress in ways I hadn't fully anticipated. It's not always smooth sailing. To maintain a semblance of balance, I integrate three key practices into my routine, along with other habits that I apply more flexibly, depending on current circumstances and my capacity at the time.

“Exercise is crucial for me, serving two main purposes. It not only promotes physical health but also acts as a momentary mental escape. During physical activity, I'm fully present, focused solely on the effort required. This provides a short but valuable break from stress, allowing me to regain perspective.”

Exercise is known to improve mood, releasing neurotransmitters like endorphins, endocannabinoids, and dopamine, creating a mental boost and releasing tension.

Wedgwood continues, “Sleep is another priority; I'm aiming for at least seven hours a night, though I've found I'm at my best with eight hours, which makes me more amiable overall.”

The Stress Management Society says that a lack of sleep can build up cortisol levels, impair immune function, and slow reaction times, which is not ideal in a medical setting.

Mental health charity Mind references sleep and mental health as a cycle, with poor sleep having a detrimental effect on mental health, and vice versa, creating a pattern that is difficult to get out of. Mind advises creating a relaxation routine, without screens, to aid in having a good night’s rest.

In the workplace itself, Wedgwood tries to stay on top of admin, to avoid overwhelm.

“Staying up to date with emails and messages significantly reduces my stress. While the nature of my work in the clinic can make this challenging, keeping a clear to-do list helps me feel more in control and less overwhelmed.”

If feelings of being overwhelmed are contributing to your stress, establishing a daily routine to address your regular tasks may help. For example, check your emails first thing in the morning, or schedule a specific time to do your admin tasks so they don’t get on top of you.

However, a healthcare provider’s own stress is not their only concern. Wedgwood tries to create a low-stress environment for her patients to aid their journey in her clinic.

“I aim to create a calm and attentive atmosphere, ensuring they feel heard and supported. By thoroughly discussing their treatment plans and options, I involve them in the decision making process, which helps alleviate their stress and makes for a more positive experience.”

In the fast-paced, high-stakes sector of medical aesthetics, stress is inevitable, but managing your stress levels will help, not only with your work, but also your overall health.