Sometimes, work is just stressful. Deadlines have to be met, projects have to be completed, and things can go wrong. Stress is a natural part of life; conquering it can even make us stronger. But just because workplace stress is unavoidable doesn’t mean it can’t be reduced or managed.
In fact, when you manage workplace stress effectively, you start to see the myriad benefits that come with a low-stress working environment. We’ll also suggest some ways to implement some stress-busting techniques within your own workplace, so you can reap the benefits right away!
Increased Productivity
Some people find a certain amount of stress motivating, but the use of stress to motivate has its limits. Too much will have the opposite effect; you’ll see a dip in productivity and an increased risk of mistakes, or even workplace injuries.
Furthermore, not all stress is equal. Things like deadlines are temporary; the stress goes away when the deadline is reached. But stress from financial peril or toxic managers don’t go away on their own. They often require intervention from a higher-level authority to resolve.
But when people can think clearly and aren’t bogged down by fear, their creativity soars, and with it, their productivity.
Better Teamwork
It’s hard to get along with people when you’re stressed out! Stress rubs our nerves raw and can make even the slightest inconvenience set us off. Not exactly an ideal teamwork environment.
But when you reduce or eliminate workplace stress, people can relax a little. There’s less tension and more communication. Ideas are exchanged that wouldn’t have been otherwise. And people often do their best thinking in groups.
And not only will your employees work better with each other, they’ll be better engaged with the company as a whole. Employees who are less stressed are more engaged and less likely to quit. In other words, reducing workplace stress reduces workplace turnover.
Fewer Sick Days
Stress does more than make it hard to concentrate or cooperate. Too much stress can negatively affect your health, putting you at risk of anything from mental illness like depression to physical ailments like heart disease. In fact, 1 million working Americans call in sick every day just because of work-related stress.
But what if you could eliminate the need for these mental health days? You’d save on lost time, for one, since your employees wouldn’t have to miss work as much. But you’d also save about 600 dollars per employee per sick day! Numbers don’t lie; sick days are expensive. But when you reduce workplace stress, employees need fewer of them, and those savings will add up quickly!
How to Reduce Workplace Stress Within Your Company
You’ve seen the benefits that can come from reducing workplace stress and you’re interested in bringing some of that magic to your own company. Great! But how do you do it? Where do you even start? And how much will it cost?
It’s true that investing in your employees’ well-being is going to be… well, an investment, but don’t let that intimidate you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to workplace wellness. You are sure to find something that works for your needs and your budget. We’ve got a few suggestions to help you get started.
Increase Downtime Opportunities
The simplest way to reduce workplace stress is to simply give your workers more time away from work! Increased paid time off, fewer working hours, or more opportunities to work remotely can have a massive return on investment in terms of employee well-being. Time away from work allows employees to recharge their mental and physical batteries so they’re fresh and reinvigorated when it’s time to go back to work.
Encourage Healthier Habits
What if, instead of a typical meeting in a conference room, surrounded by donuts or bagels, you took your team out for a walking meeting? Or what if, instead of sugar-heavy snacks and drinks in the break room, there was fresh produce and herbal tea? Nudging your workplace toward healthier habits can do wonders for both body and mind, leading to less stress and better health.
Build up Your Team
Do you work with a team? Or a bunch of strangers? When people feel a sense of togetherness and solidarity toward each other, it becomes easier to build trust. Employees who trust each other can better rely on each other to get work done, reducing workplace drama. And, when everyone feels like a part of a whole, they feel more motivated to help the whole group succeed, rather than being focused on their own self-interest. Encourage your workers to socialize and get to know each other through team-building exercises or company social events, like a game night.
Get Fabulous for Work
Maybe you still feel a little in over your head about how best to serve your company’s wellness needs. There is a lot to think about, in all fairness, and you’ve got a company to run! If that’s the case, turning to the experts for help may be your best option. Fabulous for Work is tailor-made to fit your company’s exact needs while also able to personalize itself for the needs of each individual employee on your team.
In just eight weeks, we teach you and your employees how to build lifelong healthy habits that can reduce your stress, increase your productivity, and help you feel healthier and happier. And we’ve done it for millions of people already.Interested? Just go to thefabulous.co/work/ or click here to learn more and sign up today!
