how to combat stress in the workplace

Workplace stress and pressures can get the better of any of us. Whether there's a deadline that needs hitting, a project that needs managing, or a never-ending workload that you can't see the bottom of. Unfortunately, in today’s world stress is all too common. As maintaining a healthy work/life balance becomes more challenging for employees, it’s up to you as their employer to help.

Below, we’re outlining some of the ways that you can provide a stress-free working environment.

Promote A Healthy Lifestyle

Studies show that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce stress and increase happiness. For employers, promoting this lifestyle can enhance both the well-being and productivity of their employees.

Starting with the basics, providing healthy food and drink is an easy win. Fruit and veg not only provides essential nutrients, but help ease stress too. Snack bars can also be a healthy alternative to chocolate and crisps. Additionally, consider providing healthy drinks such as fruit squash or decaf alternatives to tea and coffee.

Alternatively, you should encourage incorporating physical activity into daily routines. From promoting short walks during breaks, to organising charity fundraisers or staff sports teams, encouraging teamwork on something outside of routine is a great way to create camaraderie among colleagues. You could even go one step further by getting matching attire that promotes your company and creates a real team atmosphere.

Invest in Ergonomic Equipment

It's important to recognize that while the causes of stress may sometimes be obvious, their exacerbators may not. Aches from uncomfortable working positions have the potential to aggravate existing issues.

Imagine an employee has a tight deadline. They need to create a report by the end of the day and time is running out. An already a daunting task. But one that becomes significantly more so with painful interruptions. Sore wrists, strained eyes, and neck pain are all common issues that can disrupt productivity and well-being.

By proactively providing ergonomic solutions including adjustable seating, monitor stands, and computer accessories, the risk of work-related injuries and stress levels can be alleviated.

Encourage Organisation

“A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind”. Stress brought upon through lack of organisation is totally avoidable. What seems like a daunting workload, may in fact be more manageable if organised properly.

Staying coordinated in work is essential for reducing stress and improving efficiency. Removing the mess from your desk and head can help establish clear priorities and maintain a sense of control. If left unmanaged, this could cause further issues down the line.

Organisation products such as notepads, desk tidies and work planners are a great way to keep this in check. By ensuring workloads are correctly managed, the risk of stress is too. You could even take this up a notch with your own branded organisational products for your team.

Stimulate Collaboration

Getting stressful tasks done should never fall onto the shoulders of a single person. Sharing responsibilities is great in creating a mutual support network. By creating an environment of teamwork, you can alleviate the workload from one person.

Collaboration can come in all sizes. From two people having a discussion in a private booth, to an entire team brainstorming on a whiteboard. When employers foster a collaborative environment, everyone can embrace the stress-reducing benefits. 

Minimise Unwanted Distractions

Not all distractions are a bad thing. In fact, a healthy distraction is sometimes needed to reduce stress. Yet, when you need to block out the world to get work done, trying to ignore everything around you can be a challenge.

If your office hasn’t got the facilities for private working areas, ensure you’re using the best resources at your disposal. With the correct headphones or acoustic barriers, distractions can easily be controlled.

Minimising distractions is more than making sure you aren’t distracted though. Colleagues distract colleagues too, even if unintentional. The shaking of a leg, flipping of a pen, or tapping on a desk to name a few. With plenty of products on offer such as stress balls and fidget toys, it may be time to take a look and make sure you’re not the one causing the distractions.

Provide Private Working Spaces

Not every office space is created equally. While some may have ample meeting rooms and areas for a quiet conversation, others may not.

Everybody needs their privacy at work. An urgent personal call, a confidential meeting with a colleague, or deadline that needs 100% concentration. For some, the stress that can come from these situations can be worse when surrounded by others. Areas where your staff can go and feel safe is essential in creating an environment where trust is promoted, and stress relieved.

By providing a refuge away from the hectic office environment, privacy screens and acoustic hubs are designed for those moments when staff need some personal space.