Here’s How:
When you think of stress, the first thing to pop into your head is probably work. It is easy to see how stress strikes your workplace, from working long hours to not being able to deal with your tasks appropriately.
So let’s face it: There’s a true tension when it comes to this and we all feel it. What’s worse is that it can lead to potential hazards and psychological problems if not touched upon adequately.
Conceptualization of work stress is critical when designing organizational strategies. Work-related stress is often described as a negative reaction to excessive pressures and demands put on employees at work.
Work performance measures employee efficiency in any business organization. It can either be achieved in a very detailed way by measuring costs and time relative to performance, or a company may approach it in a more general, tactful way.
But how do you get there? What could possibly turn a weak performer into a powerhouse of productivity? How could you, as a leader, help your team cope with work-related stress and anxiety?
Stick around to find out. 👇
1. Give Your Mobile Devices A Rest
This is crucial. Rather than burying your head in your Instagram feed at lunchtime during breaks, leave your phone at your desk and start engaging with your colleagues instead. Or even better: take a couple of minutes to practice mindfulness. When we practice mindfulness, we practice the art of making space for ourselves — space to believe, space to breathe, space to think and to evaluate our emotional responses to the outer world.
The good thing about meditation is that you can practice it anywhere, there is no need to go out and buy special equipment— the only thing you need is to devote a little time and space every day to gaining access to your mindfulness.
2. Reorganize The Environment
A lot of tension comes from our surroundings. Think about every aspect of your office space, and what it is doing or not doing for your team’s wellness. Simple issues such as coffee consistency or the height of the cubicle walls may affect employee engagement.
Refresh the office with an optimistic paint scheme, new plants, or new pots and pans. If you have the storage, think about adding a ping pong table to allow a few minutes for employees to take their minds off their stress. Any improvements that maximize employee satisfaction would leave them feeling less anxious.
3. Allow For Remote Working
You hired your employees because you believe in their ability to do their roles well and in a reasonable timeframe — so let them confirm that. Your office is not meant to feel like a jail cell but instead a position that makes it easier to get the job done. Let your team know that the consistency and timeliness of their jobs are what determines their role and they are appreciated for the effort they put into it.
Empower your staff to work remotely, and have the flexibility for timelines. This kind of approach is perfect for the productivity of the workplace and tells your workers that you trust them enough to have to babysit them eight hours a day.
4. Implement Quiet Minutes
Yes, that’s a thing. Work-related tension can not be stopped entirely, so when it happens you can help to relieve it. Make sure your employees have a place to take a break and let their emotions flow through. If it’s one thing that we’ve learned so far, is that no one can function well under stressful conditions. Allowing your employees to take a couple of minutes to rethink and reevaluate their situation, rest their minds and breath deep can go a long way.
A small office, a patio at the end of the hall, and even an outdoor bench can be ideal places to find sanctuary from the everyday grinding chaos. Think of longer vacations, retreat-style, that can serve the same function.
5. Encourage Self-Care
Awareness and being present means being more centered and efficient. When you want to reduce tension and improve productivity among your team members, empower them to practice self-care and mindfulness.
Having a physical break, getting up, and walking away from the screen, brings the mind back to the present. The change in mental as well as a physical activity provides an environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. New ideas come with a refreshed mind and body, and renewed commitment.
Bottom Line
How do you create a productive working environment? Are you focusing on the engagement of your team members? Are you considering ways to increase their productivity and promote remote work?
Follow the strategies highlighted here to bring your stress level back to a healthy spectrum so that you can continue to experience breakthroughs and create some special magic for yourself. Get in touch with us if you’re struggling. We’re here to help you.
EMBRACE Change, IMPROVE Me, RENEW All