8 Stress Management Ideas for the Workplace and Beyond

Workplace stress is often labeled a ‘silent killer,’ and failure to effectively deal with it can adversely impact your workforce's productivity and physical and mental well-being. Workplace stress refers to the various harmful and undesirable psychological, behavioral, emotional and physical responses an individual can give when there is a wide gap between the demands of a task and the degree of control they have over meeting these demands.

Thus, on an organizational level, the top or middle-level management must incorporate effective stress management techniques to maintain high levels of efficiency and improve employee morale. Moreover, employees must practice the following stress management techniques to maintain optimal professional performance.

Practice Low or Medium-Intensity Activities

Employees should be encouraged to participate in low or medium-intensity physical activities during their workdays, such as walking or cardio exercises such as lunges and high knees. These exercises promote the release of positive chemicals, which can help individuals combat stress and improve their mood.

Have a Designated Break Room

Creating a designated break room at your workplace equipped with indoor games, bookshelves, coffee machines, etc., can pay off in the long run. It will also allow employees to bond with each other and cope with workplace stress.

Incorporate an Active Design

Leading a sedentary lifestyle coupled with mounting workplace stress places your employees at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. Active design refers to designing your office space in a way that requires your employees to keep on moving throughout the day. It subtly encourages your employees to engage in moderate-intensity physical activities regularly. Moreover, furnishing your office with refreshing interiors, bright aesthetics and motivational quotes allow you to offer a positive, warm and welcoming working environment.

Explain Duties Clearly

Employers must delineate the various duties an employee is expected to conduct to eliminate the chances of any miscommunication. Poorly explained job roles can create ambiguity and chaos, which places your employees under higher stress levels. It may also result in your employees becoming discontent and disoriented with their jobs and increase your company’s attrition rates.

Engage in an Open-Door Policy and Transparent Communication

Allowing employees to communicate their thoughts and concerns freely and maintaining transparent communication channels between your company’s various departments promotes faster conflict resolution and prevents the build-up of discontentment within your workforce.

Have Fixed Work Breaks

Employers should encourage their employees to hit their mental ‘reset’ button by allowing them to disconnect from their hectic work schedules briefly. Taking short 15-minute breaks, wherein your employees are discouraged from accessing their phones and emails, can help them refresh their minds.

Have Moderately Flexible Schedules

Employers should allow their employees to have a degree of autonomy concerning their work schedules, as such a step enables them to take control of their tasks and promotes a healthier work-life balance, which can drastically reduce their stress levels.

Maintain an Inclusive Work Culture

Facing workplace discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or religious identity can lead to significant stress and anxiety while also damaging the employees’ self-esteem. Ensure your policies reflect inclusivity and create appropriate punishments for those not complying with the guidelines.

Workplace stress can affect both employers and employees, spelling disaster for a company. Fortunately, advice from experts can help employers deal with various workplace stressors and resolve other factors impacting their employees’ productivity. Connect with MCC Coaching, and our dedicated team of experts will be eager to help you identify and eliminate the factors that are preventing your business from realizing its true potential.