How to observe Stress Awareness Month at work

April is Stress Awareness Month in the U.S., followed in May by Mental Health Awareness Month. These two months offer us more sunshine and better weather with the promise of summer, along with a perfect opportunity to focus on personal wellbeing.

Stress isn't just a mental wellbeing issue, though; the physical side effects of high stress can also be devastating. From muscle weakness to emotional exhaustion, shortening tempers to burnout, stress affects us in a variety of ways that we can’t always see.

Read on for six easy ways to observe Stress Awareness Month at work this April and support employee mental wellbeing.

1. Host educational workshops

Organize workshops about stress management techniques from mental health professionals. Topics can include mindfulness, time management and resilience.

You can also organize workshops to highlight mental wellbeing benefits, programs or resources your organization is already offering. Fostering a relationship with a wellbeing partner? Invite them to host workshops with your employees to showcase their programs.

2. Promote wellbeing challenges

Encourage employees to participate in wellbeing challenges that focus on physical activity, mindfulness or relaxation techniques to gamify wellbeing and promote healthy community.

Reward Gateway’s Wellbeing+ app is a great option that allows you to create a variety of wellbeing challenges from either a built-in template or your own custom setup. Employees can set monthly step goals, compete via the leaderboard and encourage each other in the chat, as well as access a sizable library of wellbeing content like workout routines, meditation sessions and healthy recipes.

3. Create a stress-free zone

Designate a quiet space in the office where employees can take breaks, meditate or simply unwind. Equip this area with calming resources like stress balls, guided meditation apps or soothing music. You could offer special wellbeing services like in-office chair massages or meditation sessions to create stress free moments if office space is at a premium and a full area isn’t doable.

4. Encourage Open Conversations

Foster a culture of openness by encouraging employees to share their experiences with stress. In our Workplace Wellbeing in 2025 report, 57% of employees surveyed report comfort discussing their mental wellbeing at work, an increase from 2024’s reported 53%. Host informal “coffee chats” where team members can discuss mental health topics in a relaxed setting, promoting a sense of community and support. Encourage managers to schedule non-work-oriented one-on-ones with their direct reports to check in and offer support. Or, hold a leadership AMA (ask me anything) session to give employees an opportunity to air concerns or seek clarification on business activity or direction, or to make suggestions or provide feedback.

5. Recognize and reward

Our research shows that recognition has an effect on wellbeing – for example, 36% of employees feel that consistent, frequent recognition is more important than a 10% pay raise – and that number jumps to 48% for the 25-34 age group. 

Acknowledge employees who actively engage in stress-reducing activities. Use Reward Gateway to offer rewards or recognition for those who participate in wellness initiatives, reinforcing the importance of mental health in the workplace.

Learn more about how Reward Gateway | Edenred can help you make your corner of the world a better place to work.