5 Workplace Stressbusters for 2023

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Stress at work is just one of the essential factors influencing employees' physical and mental health and can eventually take a toll on productivity. By examining some of the main reasons why people experience stress at work and how it affects their ability to be productive, we can begin to take steps to ensure our employees are healthy, happy, and more productive. 

 

How Does Stressful Workplace Spoil Employees' Productivity?

 

According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers experience stress at work, over half say they need assistance learning how to handle stress, and 42% think their coworkers also need such assistance.  

 

Employee time management and the capacity to concentrate on tasks are key factors in productivity. Unfortunately, when work-related stress is present, employees struggle to focus, meet deadlines, and cannot demonstrate creativity.

More importantly, stress can lead to other mental health issues, such as burnout, anxiety, conflict, and depression. It also lowers employee engagement, and mounting work pressure could force them to seek employment elsewhere.

 

What Are the Common Causes of Employee Stress?

 

It is essential to know the typical workplace stressors and take appropriate steps to reduce them. Some of the common causes include:

  • Lack of skills
  • High workload
  • Job security concerns
  • Weak and insufficient management
  • Lack of communication
  • Over-management
  • Poor working environment

5 Stressbusters - To Enable Less Stressful Working Conditions

 

Managers and employers must make a few yet significant changes to satisfy their employees and make the workplace less stressful. Here are a few tips that can help to enable less stressful working conditions.

 

1. Encouraging Workplace Wellness


The welfare of the workforce is of utmost importance. Therefore, fostering a culture of wellness inside an organization is crucial. A productive workforce depends on a healthy environment. Establishing a culture that encourages wellness helps:

  • Decreasing job turnover 
  • Reducing absenteeism
  • Managing stress

In a Harvard Business Review survey, 79% of employees said that participating in wellness initiatives positively affected them. Additionally, the findings indicated that workers accustomed to working in a fulfilling setting were more productive.

 

2. Revamping the Office Space


Our environment is one of the primary sources of stress. Consider how each element of your office contributes to the overall health of your staff. By encouraging movement throughout the day rather than prolonged sitting, the office's infrastructure encourages employees to be active.

 

Employee engagement and productivity will increase if you provide them with a place to rest and unwind. The well-being, productivity, and employee health can be significantly impacted by a workplace design that considers the ambiance, lighting, and general interior layout. 

 

Open spaces, walkable areas, and green retreats should be factored into your office layout. Avoid foot traffic and desk congestion by allowing more room for individuals that don't like prying eyes on their workspaces.

 

3. Allowing Hybrid & Remote Working


Most employees live far from their workplaces, so much time is lost during the daily commute. Offering remote and hybrid work modes enhances employees' productivity and encourage them to work in their comfort zone. Hybrid and remote workplaces improve employee productivity and allow them to arrange their schedules as they see fit.

 

However, managing such work arrangements can take time and effort. You need to maintain the data and information security firewall to prevent the breaching of an unauthorized user to the portal. Similarly, proficient communication tools like Slack and Asana are required to ensure the smooth flow of information.

 

Performance and other KPIs should also be monitored via a real-time employee monitoring app to ensure the standards are met. In short, while remote and hybrid working models benefit the company and its employees, a suite of software and tools is required to ensure its success. Picking the apps that best suit your needs is easier said than done. To help you get started, you can read this blog post which lists some apps that assist with employee monitoring.

 

4. Encouraging Social Connectivity


Relationships at work greatly affect an employee's well-being and stress management. It's more than merely getting along with a coworker. Humans are social creatures that crave human interaction and connection. Unfortunately, work can be an isolating environment for many individuals. While you're certainly aware of the adage "I'm here to work, not to make friends," it's crucial for employers to recognize the value of interpersonal relationships at work.

 

An employee's relationships at work can either positively or negatively impact their productivity, stress levels, and overall satisfaction. These elements have an impact on both an employee's health and work performance. People with strong social ties are happier and physically healthier. Employers who cultivate social interactions among employees and assist them in conceiving lasting connections with one another contribute to the growth of a productive workforce.

 

5. Allowing Quiet Hours


While entirely avoiding stress isn't possible, its effects can be lessened with room for downtime. Make sure there is a rest area available for your staff. More than 80 percent of hostile and disengaged workers preferred stress-relieving breaks like naps, massages, or company-mandated breaks. 

 

Employees are encouraged to think more imaginatively when working in silence. They are not distracted or busy during the calm hours. Thus, they will be able to handle the overwhelming amount of knowledge. They have more time to think of original ideas and solutions to pressing problems. 

 

The pressure and cyclical nature of the "daily grind" can be perfectly contained in a small room, a lounge area at the end of the corridor, or even a seat outside. Consider taking more prolonged, introspective breaks, which can accomplish the same thing.

 

Every employer demands top-notch performance from their workers, but if they neglect to provide for the basic needs of their team, it can result in employees' lack of productivity, restlessness, stress, and anxiety. 

 

These tips will give employers the power of persistence to help them improve their work environment for all. Cultivate an environment that is fit for their well-being but falls within your requirements. Maintain a balance, apply rules according to your policies, and use resources to ensure stressful situations remain at bay. 


Work comes with enough stressors, don't let your culture be one of them. DH offers onsite & virtual solutions to help your org with its culture initiatives. 

 

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About the Author

Casey Harward

Casey Harward is a technical writer and editor with experience in research-based content. She also has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Lancaster, UK. Casey specializes as a professional editor and Dissertation writer at Research Prospect. She loves reading articles, blogs, magazines, newspapers, and books in her free time.

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