April has started, and besides the spring that we are looking forward to, it is also the month of stress awareness. This is an opportunity to take a closer look at this phenomenon, especially in the workplace.

In fact, 23% of Canadians say that most of their days are stressful. For a long time, we didn't think of stress as a problem. While stress has always been known to cause a variety of health problems, such as headaches, stomach aches, insomnia and depression, it wasn't so long ago that it was better to suffer in silence and get on with your work without complaining. Then researchers began to make links between high stress levels and all sorts of serious illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes. We now know that too much stress can kill.

In this digital age, information is 24/7. As a result, it's harder to get real disconnection, which encourages increased stress.

On the occasion of this awareness month, we will share several actions that will help reduce daily stress, especially in the context of work.

1- Work in a coworking space

It is not uncommon for stress to arise from ourselves, when the goals set seem complicated to achieve. Working in a coworking space allows us to relativize and to feel that we are not alone in this situation.

Thanks to the meetings we can make, mutual aid is possible and especially, the breaks between each mission, with professionals who live the same thing as us is reassuring.

2- More natural methods

Many activities can reduce this stress. Practicing a sport activity for example makes us focus on the activity itself, our heart rate which accelerates for example, the feelings of the body, the possible pains and the muscles which work. Even if the feelings do not seem pleasant on paper, we must recognize that during this time, we do not think about what is bothering us and we avoid creating stress.

There are also gentler techniques, such as yoga or meditation, which, in addition to providing many benefits to the mind and well-being, allow us to be more calm and less tense in front of the list of tasks to be done.

3- Simple things

• Organizing your day methodically by drawing up a schedule to have an overview and to be able to anticipate the day's tasks with peace of mind can considerably reduce your stress.
• It is also important to remember that we are human, and that if we can't do everything on D-day, the world will not collapse, and many tasks can be postponed to the next day without pressure.
• It is recommended to take a vacation at least twice a year without scheduling chores or housework, to really rest and to ease your mental load.

What are your good practices for reducing stress?