This month is dedicated to Stress Awareness

Here's the latest Get Active column by Fenland District Council physical activity co-ordinator Hettie West...

April marks the start of another Stress Awareness Month.

This is a campaign that has been run by the Stress Management Society since 1992, yet now seems a more important topic than ever before.

After the challenging two years we have endured, its massively critical that people continue to talk more about stress, mental health, and general wellbeing.

According to mental health charity Mind, approximately a third of adults and young people reported that their mental health has got much worse since the beginning of the pandemic.

Two years on the population is still feeling the effects.

This year’s theme for Stress Awareness Month is ‘community’- a fitting topic given that throughout the pandemic, feelings of loneliness and social isolation skyrocketed across the population.

Now is the time to reach out to friends, family and loved ones and offer your support in these challenging times.

Here at Active Fenland, we aim to bring a sense of community wherever we go.

Many of our sessions have been set up with the aim of providing a safe space to exercise, an opportunity to make friends and socialise, and a reason to get out of the house at the forefront of our minds.

Currently, our Forever Fit session is a firm favourite; a free weekly session where adults can turn up, try some activities, make friends, socialise, drink tea or coffee and generally let off some steam.

This runs at 11:30am on Tuesdays at the Hudson Leisure Centre, Wisbech.

We have also recently launched our Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Scheme in Fenland, which will see regular walking groups set up across the district, allowing participants to come and have a steady walk through various locations.

The sessions are also there to help those taking part to make friends and get active along the way.

We always try to start and finish our walks near to a pub or cafe so that a tea or coffee can follow the walk.

Keep an eye on our social media and the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks website for updates. Our general ethos means that we are also always open for a chat or support if it is ever needed.

We are more than happy to signpost you in the direction of community groups, clubs, or sessions.

Call 07874893316 or email activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk if you have any questions regarding any of our sessions, any local sessions or where to find support.

Visit www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month to find out more information or resources regarding this amazing campaign.