After a year of uncertainty within our home and working lives – it’s no wonder that we’ve seen an increase in the number of people telling us they feel stressed.
For many of us. being thrust into both lockdown and an unfamiliar remote working life has meant that the line between work and personal life has become hazy – a recent study by Monster shows that 69% of employees are experiencing burnout symptoms while working from home.
The current situation has increased the demand for new ideas on how we can manage stress in the workplace. As we begin to navigate through 2021, it is now more apparent that providing your employees with support around their mental and physical wellbeing will play a key role in maintaining a successful workplace.
So in advance of stress awareness month (April 2021) – we take a look at what stress is, what causes it, and our top strategies for managing stress in the workplace:
What is Stress and How Does It Affect Us?
It’s not easy to define exactly what stress is. However it can result in feelings of emotional and physical tension.
It takes a variety of forms and is our body’s reaction to a complex set of challenges.
Stress can affect us in a number of ways, such as:
- Feeling irritable
- Headaches
- Feeling nervous or afraid
- Being unable to think clearly
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Chronic stress can also be a factor in a range of mental and physical health issues. Including anxiety, depression, insomnia, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Common Causes of Stress in the Workplace
Everyone is different – and what causes one person to feel stressed at work may not trigger another person.
However, below are some of the most common causes of stress within the work environment:
- Excessive workloads or unclear objectives
- Limited financial incentives
- Limited flexible working opportunities
- Lack of wellbeing and mental health support
- Lack of physical health support
- Shortage of fulfilling work
- Loss of connection between our own values and the work we are doing
Strategies for Managing Stress Personally
How can you help to break the cycle and control your own stress levels?
Reduce Negative Self-talk
Notice when you are beating yourself up for not “nailing” lockdown! Many people are finding it challenging in some way. Be in control of your thoughts – you can learn more about positive psychology here.
Have a Nap!
You could try taking a siesta in the middle of the afternoon or getting a little more sleep by heading up to bed earlier.
Say “No”
Tune in to how you feel after certain calls and meetings. Are you in a position to say no if they leave you feeling more wired or more jaded? Do you feel like you’re trying to take on too much? Are you able to say no more often and focus on doing a great job on the things you say yes to?
Get Moving
Notice how you feel and meet your anxiety where it is. Go for a run, or walk, do a HIIT class, have a dance in the kitchen with your kids and shake the cobwebs and ruminative thinking out of your system.
Turn Off Screens
At least an hour before bed, dim the lights, have a ritual that will help you start to tune out of the noise of your day. Light a candle, read a book, play some relaxing non stimulating music, have a bath, make sure your bed linen is clean and fresh – make it a relaxing place to be.
Practice Breathing Exercises
Try breathing for a count of 4 and exhaling for a count of 5 or even 6. Elongate your exhale to allow your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in – the system that allows us to rest and digest.
What Can You Do as An Employer to Help Manage Stress?
Understand the Signs of Stress in the Workplace
We all have bad days from time-to-time, but it’s crucial that you look for stress patterns on an individual level as well as an organisational level over a period of time.
Checking in with people is great, but this may not be enough. Look for individual warning signs of stress, for example; if a person is much quieter than usual, making mistakes, is shorter tempered or not as productive as usual.
If more than one person in a team appears stressed, or you are seeing rising levels of absenteeism or higher employee turnover, this could be a warning sign of a broader issue.
Invest in Your Employees’ Wellbeing
If employers support their employees and create a culture of wellbeing, openness and inclusion, there is less risk of unwanted staff turnover.
There are a number of ways to look after the wellbeing of your employees. Could you add counselling, coaching or other psychological and physical wellbeing support services into your employee benefits packages?
You could also offer wellbeing in the workplace workshops. These enable individuals to look at their own stress patterns and how their nervous system reacts. As well as providing tools and techniques that we can use every day to improve our wellbeing.
“Wellbeing strategies for businesses have become less about generic solutions, such as fresh fruit in the office, and more about individual empowerment.”
Kate Whitelock, Head of Wellbeing at YuLife
Provide Coaching & Mentoring Opportunities
In order for leaders to be able to support their employees they themselves may benefit from training, coaching or mentoring support.
Leadership coaching focuses on relationship building, strategic thinking, managing organisational change and developing a personal, but organisationally attuned, authentic leadership style. It can also help to reduce negative internal dialogue or make changes to patterns of behaviour that are no longer serving us well.
Extended periods of change can trigger stress responses and impair employee performance. Support from external coaches can help you view a situation with fresh eyes and help you transition through this period.
Lastly, to help prevent the chance of stress from the outset, you could also look to assign new employees a trained mentor. A mentor can help new starters settle in and thrive during their first year with you.
How Inclusive Consulting Can Help
We are a recruitment agency and consultancy based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Our mission is to help companies attract and retain the best talent. And to help candidates find the perfect role and enable them to thrive.
We are passionate about inclusion and diversity within the workplace. And offer a range of services to help manage stress levels, including wellbeing in the workplace courses, mentoring, and leadership and organisational coaching.
To find out more, please contact us via hello@incconsulting.co.uk.