April is Stress Awareness Month: Let's Talk About It (and Celebrate with a High Five!)

April is Stress Awareness Month, and it couldn’t come at a better time. With work demands, life’s daily pressures, and the general hustle of modern life—stress is something we all experience. The good news? We can do something about it.

At Silver Linings International, we believe that building healthy workplace cultures starts with addressing the very real stressors that affect our teams. That’s why one of our core areas of focus is providing training and support around trauma in the workplace.

Why Stress Awareness Month Matters

Stress is more than just feeling overwhelmed—it impacts our physical health, mental well-being, productivity, and relationships. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress, and over half say stress impacts their performance.

The first step to reducing stress is awareness. This month encourages individuals and organizations to recognize the signs of stress and take meaningful action toward creating more balanced, supportive environments.

Silver Linings’ Approach to Workplace Stress

Through our interactive trainings and workshops, we help teams identify the root causes of stress and learn evidence-based strategies to better manage it. We focus on practical tools like:

• Stress response education and emotional regulation

• Mindful communication techniques

• Workload management and realistic goal-setting

• Creating cultures of psychological safety and empathy

Whether it’s a one-time workshop or ongoing support, our goal is to empower people to thrive—not just survive—at work.

Enter: National High Five Day 🙌

Now, in case you didn’t know—the third Thursday in April is National High Five Day (yep, it's a real thing!). This year, it lands on April 17, and it's the perfect excuse to sprinkle in some joy and connection.

A simple high five may seem small, but it’s actually a powerful tool. Studies show that positive gestures like high fives can boost mood, build camaraderie, and even increase motivation. In a world where remote work and digital meetings can leave us feeling isolated, small acts of connection matter more than ever.

So whether you’re in the office or Zooming from home, take a moment to virtually or physically high five your colleagues. Celebrate wins, recognize effort, and share a little lightness.

Your Challenge This April

✅ Acknowledge the stress—don’t ignore it.

✅ Take one step to reduce or better manage it (even a walk or deep breath counts!).

✅ Celebrate the people around you—bonus points for a high five.

✅ Reach out to learn how Silver Linings International can support your organization with tailored training around workplace stress, communication, and leadership.

Let’s make April not just about awareness, but about action—and don’t forget to throw in a few high fives along the way.