STRESS DOWN FRIDAY!

Employees across the UK are switching off their emails and wearing slippers to work on Friday 1st February to support Samaritans Stress Down Day.

The emotional support charity is bringing seasonal relief to busy workers and raising awareness of the detrimental effects of stress on people’s health.

With over 80% of workers saying they would rather phone in sick with flu or another problem rather than admit they were stressed. Samaritans’ ambassador Graham Norton is encouraging people to speak out about work pressures and take better care of their emotional health this February.

Graham Norton said:

“I did work with a nightmare boss once who everyone hated but the frightening moment now is when you realise ‘Oh my gosh, I am the boss! I am the one they go home and complain about!

“It is very important that there is a service like Samaritans out there, somebody people can turn to when things are really bleak and can’t manage to put things in perspective for themselves. It’s fantastic that no matter what time of day or night it is, there is someone to bounce off and assure you that this stressful time will pass.”

“I have had disasters at work and crazy interviews, but if they are funny we end up keeping them in the show to make people laugh.”

Employees are getting involved in the day by swapping stilettos for slippers, selling detoxing smoothies in the office, sponsoring colleagues to turn emails off for a couple of peaceful hours and creating a chill out zone for people to hire out throughout the day.

Companies involved in the day include Royal Mail, BUPA, Dorset Cereals, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Motorola, Taylor’s of Harrogate, Topshop, First Direct, Lloyd’s of London, Trader Media Group, RBC Dexia, Royal London, Allianz Insurance and WPA.

Join celebrity supporters Graham Norton, Stephen Fry, Trisha Goddard, Supernanny, rugby international Josh Lewsey and John Humphrys for the ultimate dress down Friday relaxation and exclusive Stress Down Day monster slippers by logging on to www.stressdownday.org and help Samaritans’ 16,800 volunteers continue to answer the 4.8 million contacts received every year, one call every six seconds.

Samaritans’ supporters Neal’s Yard Remedies are helping people to beat the January blues by selling a De-Stress Kit, Harmony Gift Box and life coaching guide, ’52 Ways To Change Your Life’ in their 30 UK stores and donating 10% of profits, on these products, to Samaritans. In-store staff are qualified in natural medicine, providing remedy pick-me-ups from aromatherapy to nutritional supplements.