Stress can be debilitating, and it can cause and/or aggravate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of human existence — nobody is immune to it — it’s important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when stress rears its ugly head. (Amazingly, we don’t always notice it’s happening to us.) Stress Awareness Month happens each April. It’s important to learn some strategies for coping with this particular silent scourge. You’ve come to the right place for that. Let’s get started!

Stress Awareness Month timeline

1974
Experts get all stressed out

The organization dedicated to workplace and personal stress management is founded. It rebrands itself as the International Stress and Tension Control Society in 1981 — and finally as the International Stress Management Association in 1989.

1950s
Personality types are defined

American cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman develop their theory of Type A personalities, for whom stress is often a way of life — and death.

1936
Hans Selye investigates stress

Viennese physician Hans Selye begins his pioneering studies into stress at McGill University in Montreal. It was Selye who developed the concept of a general adaptation syndrome.

Early 20th century
Fight or flight takes off

American physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon coins the term "flight-or-flight response." It is now generally described as being the first state of general adaptation syndrome that organisms use to deal with stress.

How to Observe Stress Awareness Month

  1. Practice meditation

    One of the most effective ways to deal with stress is to learn how to silence the mind. Meditation is one of the most popular methods of achieving this quiet.

  2. Exercise

    Another way to battle the debilitating effects of stress is to exercise. Whether you're a jogger, bicyclist our just like to take long walks, be sure to get some fresh air and exercise into your daily routine.

  3. Visit your doctor

    They're really in the best position to get your started on the path to a stress-free lifestyle. Make an appointment today.

4 Stressful Facts You Need To Know

  1. Stress can help — sometimes

    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, "stress can motivate people to prepare or perform and might even be life-saving in some situations.

  2. It's sickening — literally

    People under stress – especially those prone to chronic stress — are more susceptible to a variety of ailments, from headaches and insomnia to high blood pressure and heart disease.

  3. Stressed? Here's why

    A survey by the American Psychological Association found that the five factors most often cited as a source of stress were money, work, family, economic outlook and relationships.

  4. America's highest and lowest stress states

    A report on WalletHub found that the most stressed-out states in America are Louisiana, New Mexico and West Virginia. The least? Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah.

Why Stress Awareness Month is Important

  1. It reminds us to pay attention to our health

    According to the official website, "Stress Awareness Month is a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.

  2. It's going strong

    Stress Awareness Month has been an ongoing campaign of awareness and education since 1992.

  3. Because we're all feeling it

    A recent survey found that about two-thirds of U.S. workers report engaging in behavior such as drinking or crying regularly in order to deal with stress.

Stress Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 April 1 Saturday
2024 April 1 Monday
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
April Fools' Day
National One Cent Day
International Fun at Work Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
Odisha Day
Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Lupus Alert Day
St. Stupid Day
National Fun Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Reading is Funny Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Boomer Bonus Days
Nature Day
Cyprus National Holiday
White House Easter Egg Roll
Community Garden Week
Assyrian New Year
National Trombone Players Day
Dyngus Day
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Loyal Day
National Greeting Card Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
Logan Paul's Birthday
Rachel Maddow's Birthday
Randy Orton's Birthday
Jonny May's Birthday
Sean Taylor's Birthday
National Window Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
National Public Health Week
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
National Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Keep America Beautiful Month
Move More Month
National Humor Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Scottish American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Welding Month
National Month of Hope
Child Abuse Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
National Pecan Month
Month of the Military Child
Jazz Appreciation Month
National Internship Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
IBS Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Records and Information Management Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
Canine Fitness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Financial Literacy Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
National Car Care Month
Fair Housing Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
National Knuckles Down Month
Confederate History Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
STI Awareness Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month
National Garlic Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Earth Month
Physical Wellness Month
Filipino Food Month
National Literature Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
National Woodworking Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
National African American Women's Fitness Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
School Library Month
International Amateur Radio Month
Poetic Earth Month
Ridvan Festival (Bahá'i)
Dog Appreciation Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Children and Nature Awareness Month
National Minority Health Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
Parliamentary Law Month
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival
National Kite Month
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Frog Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Social Security Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
National Donate Life Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Safe Digging Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Informed Woman Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Adopt a Ferret Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Financial Capability Month
National Facial Protection Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Multicultural Communication Month
Grange Month
National Pest Management Month
Global Astronomy Month
Cancer Control Month
Genocide Awareness Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)'s Education and Awareness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
International Guitar Month
National Food Month