Stress Awareness Month 2025: Why balance matters (even when work is tough)

April is Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder that even during the busiest, most high-pressure periods, looking after our well-being is not just important - it’s essential.

Many businesses are currently navigating challenging landscapes, whether that be due to changing market demand, political changes, or technological shifts. People are working hard to bring in revenue, support clients, and keep things moving quickly.

But here’s the truth: being “busy” shouldn’t come at the cost of burnout. When the pressure’s on, that’s precisely when caring for your people matters the most.

The Balance Between Graft and Burnout

There’s a common misconception that the harder you push, the more you get done. But in reality, when teams are constantly overworked, skipping breaks and working late becomes counterproductive. Productivity drops, mistakes increase, and morale suffers. This leads to burnout.

That’s why at Jadu, we’re doubling down on something simple, but powerful: encouraging balance.

This Stress Awareness Month, we’re reminding our team that it’s okay (and necessary) to:

• Take a proper lunch break - don’t skip lunch or eat at your desk
• Step away from the desk for a breather when you need to
• Log off on time - try not to work late into the night every day
• Set healthy boundaries
• Book your annual leave

These aren’t signs of slacking or not doing enough work. They’re signs of a business that values sustainability in its operations and in its treatment of its people. Research shows that regular breaks, even short ones, help us stay more productive and less prone to burnout. 

Culture counts - especially in tough times

Company culture isn’t built when things are easy. It’s forged during the hard times - when deadlines are tight, cash flow is critical, and there’s pressure to deliver. That’s when values really show up.

At our core, we believe in hard work, but not at the expense of well-being. Our teams do their best work when they feel supported, trusted, and human, and not when they're running on empty.

Proper breaks aren’t a luxury; they’re a necessity.

This Global Stress Awareness Month, we’re intentionally protecting that balance. We’re not perfect, and we don’t always get it right, but we’re making the effort. The long-term success of any business depends on the health of the people behind it. We’re encouraging our team to take regular breaks, go on a lunchtime walk and book their annual leave, allowing them to turn their work brain off and recharge, ready to return fresh and excited.

A nudge to other businesses

If you’re a fellow business leader, manager, or team member feeling the weight right now, we see you. It’s a tough time to run a business, and there’s pressure coming from all directions. But don’t let hustle culture drown out what really matters.

Ask your senior leadership teams and those in managerial roles to help set the tone by logging off on time and creating space for people to breathe, even when things are busy. Ask your colleagues and manager to help you create healthy boundaries that work for you, whether it be meeting-free mornings or spreading your breaks out throughout the day.

Encourage your team to rest. Because working hard and looking after your team should never be mutually exclusive.