Workplace stress is a growing problem that affects millions of people around the world. In fact, according to Statistica, 79% of people say they frequently experience work-related stress. In the UK, the situation is even worse, with 1 in 14 adults feeling stressed every single day, according to CIPHR. Furthermore, 74% of people feel so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope, according to research by the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov.
Poor mental health is a significant problem for employers, too. It costs UK businesses up to £45 billion each year, according to research by Deloitte. Investing in employee mental health, therefore, makes good business sense. Not only does it help to reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover, but it also improves staff morale, motivation, and productivity.
So, what can employees do to manage their workplace stress levels? Here are three top tips:
Take regular breaks
One of the most effective ways to manage workplace stress is to take regular breaks throughout the day. This could be a short walk, a coffee break, or simply a few minutes away from your desk to do some deep breathing exercises. Regular breaks help to reduce stress levels and improve concentration, focus, and productivity.
Prioritise self-care
Self-care is an essential part of managing any type of stress. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise. It also means prioritising your mental health by practising mindfulness, meditation, or yoga. Taking care of yourself will help you to feel more energised, focused, and less stressed.
Seek support for workplace stress
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, it’s important to seek support. This could be from a colleague, a friend, or a mental health professional. Many employers offer employee assistance programmes that provide confidential support for employees who are struggling with workplace stress or other mental health issues. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, and can help you to feel more in control and better able to cope with stress.
How can you support your staff with workplace stress?
In conclusion, workplace stress is a significant problem that affects millions of people around the world. In the UK, poor mental health costs businesses up to £45 billion each year. Investing in employee mental health is, therefore, a smart business decision. If you want to show you are investing in the wellbeing and health or your employees, bringing in an external wellbeing professional to run in-house workshops is a great option.
I am a qualified wellbeing and diversity specialist and often provide in-house group training sessions on wellbeing, stress management and diversity. Our latest course ‘Stress Busters for Success’ is an ideal workshop to provide your staff with the tools and techniques to improved how they cope with stress and turn stressful situations into opportunities for success.
Participants to these training sessions find they have:
- An increased confidence in reducing stress and burnout
- Knowledge of cutting edge strategies to improve performance, productivity and success personally and professionally
- Greater clarity, concentration, decision making and reduced avoidance
To find out more about booking me to speak at an event, or to speak to your employees about how to overcome workplace stress visit my speaker page and contact me for a chat.