Effective stress management techniques for employees and employers
Unveiling the impact of stress on performance
Stress has become a rapidly growing issue in the corporate world. Every office worker has felt job stress at some point in their lives. Short periods of stress, when a deadline is closing or an important presentation is coming up, are normal and can even be considered healthy. However, when this stress becomes chronic, it can be extremely harmful.
Chronic stress can interfere with an individual’s daily life. Their mental and physical wellbeing begins to decline. They become less motivated and optimistic, deteriorating their performance and will to collaborate with others. Hence, practising and providing the guidance and resources required to help employees manage their stress is important. This will help prevent chronic stress within the team.
Understanding workplace stress
There can be various workplace stressors contributing to the stress of your employees. A few common causes of stress are:
- Low wages
- Long working hours
- Low work-life balance
- Lack of autonomy
- Stunted growth
- Office politics and dynamics
These have been long-discussed issues in corporate discourse. Unfortunately, the stress from each can accumulate to become chronic stress. This chronic stress can manifest in the form of breathing difficulties, panic attacks, fatigue, sleep-related disturbances, headaches, and more. It has many long-term mental and physical implications too.
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Predictably, these manifestations and effects make it difficult for individuals to function normally in their daily lives. The constant stress in the back of their mind, mental exhaustion, and the array of manifestations can make it challenging for anyone to maintain their performance and productivity in the workplace. Employers should share resources to tackle this rising issue as soon as possible to protect their employee’s health.
The importance of stress management
A report published by The American Institute of Stress claims that 80% of workers feel work stress and nearly half say they need guidance in learning stress management. But first, what does stress management do?
Stress management equips individuals with a wide range of tools and techniques that help reset the nervous system. This switches the alert mode off and releases stress. Organizations must introduce sessions and resources to improve the stress management skills of their employees to prevent chronic stress from causing long-term effects.
Equipping and empowering employees with such tools will significantly improve team performance due to individual heightened morale and job satisfaction. Employee retention rates also rise when implementing these sessions. Team members will be more inclined to collaborate and incorporate creativity into their tasks fostering a positive work culture.
Proven stress management techniques
Many techniques can improve stress coping or management skills. Different techniques require varied levels of commitment and time. Since office workers are consumed with work and life obligations, the below techniques can be integrated into daily work routines without disturbing productivity. However, it is important to practice them regularly to yield effective and maximum results. Let’s take a look at some of these techniques:
Evaluate the situation: When stressing in high-pressure situations, take a minute to reevaluate. Many people tend to misinterpret the seriousness and impact of high-pressure situations to be much higher than it is. Hence, taking a minute to reassess the situation can help realize the reality of the situation.
Track stressors: Identifying what triggers stress response is crucial. Journaling can help to return to check what conditions cause stress to rise. Stress can be triggered by certain emotions, some part of the environment, people, or circumstances involved. This helps identify patterns to unlearn stress responses to the triggers.
Take a break: Chronic stress can be born out of alarming situations and the accumulation of smaller quantities of stress over time. Hence, taking an occasional break from work to take a walk, stretching your arms and shoulders, or even listening to music can alleviate stress.
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Activities to unwind: Allocate time for activities that can help unwind from the stressors of the day. Deep breathing exercises, yoga, or jogging are excellent stress management techniques. Having a healthy and balanced meal can significantly improve mental health conditions as the nutrients aid in regulating bodily functions including the nervous system.
Communicate and connect: Connecting with friends and family can create a support system to lower stress levels. Having an ear to vent, discuss, and get advice for workplace issues can help mitigate stress. Furthermore, they will prioritize safety and may recommend getting professional help when required.
Self-care: Prioritizing and indulging in self-care can be a unique stress buster even in high-stress situations. Self-care is not necessarily a spa day. Putting away time for hobbies such as cooking, reading, or playing an instrument can help unwind at the end of the day.
Empowering employees through stress management
Chronic stress has become an extremely prevalent issue in the workplace as it can interfere with employees’ morale and performance which may cause misunderstandings. Many employees are misunderstood and terminated from their workplaces.
This blog illustrates that effective stress management techniques can be crucial, especially at times like these. It greatly facilitates individuals’ mental health journeys keeping stress levels at bay while providing short-term benefits like clearing the head to ensure decisions are not affected, improved sleep patterns, and heightened mood. Hence, employers should mandate stress management sessions to maintain employee wellbeing and prevent any long-term health effects it would have otherwise caused.
