April is recognised as Stress Awareness Month, a time when people are encouraged to focus on reducing their stress levels and improving their overall health. This event aims to raise awareness about the negative effects of stress on our lives and how we can manage it effectively.

Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate ourselves about the causes, symptoms, and effects of stress. It helps us recognise the warning signs of stress and learn how to cope with it. By being aware of our stress levels, we can take steps to reduce our stress levels or manage it better.

During this month, people are encouraged to take simple steps to reduce their stress levels. Here are some effective methods that you could utilise to help de-stress:

1. Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. Small business owners can try incorporating a daily workout routine into their schedule, such as jogging, yoga, or weight lifting.

2. Time management: Poor time management can lead to stress. Business owners can prioritise tasks, delegate responsibilities, and use time-saving tools to help manage their workload.

3. Self-care: Taking time for self-care activities such as reading, meditating, or taking a relaxing bath can help reduce stress levels. It's important for business owners to take care of themselves both physically and mentally.

4. Support network: Having a strong support network can help alleviate stress. Business owners can reach out to friends, family members, or colleagues for emotional support or join a networking group to connect with like-minded individuals.

5. Work-life balance: Balancing work and personal life is essential for reducing stress levels. Business owners should try to set boundaries between work and personal life and prioritise activities that bring them joy and relaxation outside of work hours.

Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it can also be used to reduce stress in many ways. So, once you’ve taken the above into consideration, how about using some of the tools below to help manage the stress levels:

1. Meditation app: There are various meditation apps available such as Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer that offer guided meditations, breathing exercises and other mindfulness practices to help reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Virtual Reality (VR): VR technology can create a calming and relaxing environment that can help reduce stress levels. VR headsets like Oculus Go or Google Daydream can transport you to different places, landscapes or even underwater worlds.

3. Wearables: Smartwatches like Apple Watch and Fitbit can monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns and physical activity levels. These devices can give you insights into your overall health and well-being, which can help you manage stress more effectively.

4. Aromatherapy diffusers: Essential oils like lavender, peppermint and chamomile have been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body. Aromatherapy diffusers like the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser or the InnoGear Diffuser can disperse essential oils throughout your home or office to create a soothing environment.

5. Massagers: Massage chairs or handheld massagers like the Theragun can help ease muscle tension, reduce pain and promote relaxation. These devices use various techniques such as vibration, percussion or compression to provide relief from stress and tension.