How to Reduce Employee Stress

At this point, you have probably read numerous studies that show employees are more stressed than ever. Even the most well-adjusted employees will feel work stress at some point in their careers. So, you might be wondering how to reduce employee stress in your office.

As much as you want to try, there’s no way to avoid stress altogether. It is a natural part of life; however, there are some things you can do to minimize the amount of stress that impacts your employees. Here are five ways to achieve lower stress levels at your workplace.

1. Encourage Breaks

When it comes to stress in the workplace, your employees’ high-stress levels might feel could stem from the fact that they hardly ever take breaks. They may feel overwhelmed with project deadlines or think that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.

To help them cope with stress, you need to encourage them to take breaks throughout the day. People need to step away from their desks and work throughout the day so that they can reset their brain and focus.

The break doesn’t have to be a long one. Even taking a three-minute break after working for 25 minutes can be incredibly refreshing. If your employee prefers to work for longer, encourage them to work for an hour and then take a 15-minute break. Make sure they are getting up and away from their desk during this time.

Have them do a quick walk around the office, head to the break room, or allow them to check their social media. Any of these options can help reduce stress and give your employees the chance to come back to their desks, ready to tackle any project they might have.

2. Get People Up and Moving

You’ve been told all your life that exercise is an integral part of being healthy, and that also applies when it comes to reducing stress. Exercising releases endorphins, which are chemicals in your brain that help you feel good.

If you are wondering how to reduce employee stress, encourage them to get out and exercise. Not only are you making their brains release endorphins, but this can also help them refocus and feel better so that they will be more productive and miss fewer days due to stress-related illnesses.

3. Help Employees Create Boundaries

Technology has made it easier than ever for people to stay connected no matter where they are. That means that it’s possible for your employees to check emails on the weekends, after hours, or while they are on vacation. They may even be able to access projects to finish them after they’ve gone home for the day.

Every once in a while, you might need your employees to work extra hours to get a project finished by a deadline. If they have to be in the office to get this done, make sure to install security alarm systems for business. This will give your employees peace of mind that they are safe.

When you don’t need employees to work late, it’s best to make sure they have healthy boundaries when it comes to work and the other areas of their life. If they don’t, this will contribute to their stress levels.

When your employees go home for the day, unless there’s an emergency, don’t expect them to answer emails or work-related calls. They need to spend time with their family and friends. You need the same.

Therefore, when you leave work, don’t send emails or other messages to your team members. Focus on the moment you are in and give whatever you are doing your full attention — even if you are just watching TV.

Also, to reduce stress, you might consider giving your employees remote work options. Even if you only offer this once or twice a week, it can do a lot to help your employees with their stress management. They’ll be able to let go of some worries, including their commute to and from the office and having enough time to get kids from school and to their activities.

4. Offer Healthy Snacks

If you are wondering how to reduce employee stress, it’s essential to realize that what your employees eat will impact their stress levels at work. While you can’t force them to eat healthily, you can make sure they have healthy choices available. You might even consider offering healthy lunch options once a week or once a month by ordering in.

Healthy snacks are a great way to boost your employees’ moods and make sure they have the energy to get them through the day. Foods loaded with sugar may give your employees a small surge of power, but when those levels drop, they’ll be even more tired than they were before. To avoid this, give them snacks such as fruits, veggies, nuts, or cheese. Any of these will provide them with an energy boost without causing them to crash hard.

5. Develop Positive Relationships

One of the most significant contributors to workplace stress is the relationship you have with your employees and how they interact with one another. If there are any animosity or hurt feelings, this can make it uncomfortable for people to come to work and increases stress levels. Either of these can lead to employee absenteeism, which impacts productivity and office morale.

When it comes to stress relief, helping your employees develop positive relationships is incredibly beneficial. They may not always get along or like one another, but by making sure they can communicate issues with you or their coworkers, this can help them feel more comfortable and less stressed when they are at work.

Ask About Your Employees’ Stress

In addition to the items listed above, another way to help reduce employee stress is to ask them what’s stressing them out. You may not help with all of their issues, but if they feel like they have too much work on their plate, you might find ways to reduce their workload. This might include finding a partner to help with online marketing in CA.

At E-Marketing Associates, we want you and your employees to be as stress-free and happy as possible. If you need assistance creating a website or with your marketing campaign, we have the skills and ability to help.