Pump Up Employee Productivity, Decrease Stress

The most recent report from the Federal Reserve says the economy is “improving modestly”, however, stress levels in the workplace are still high.

According to Mental Health America, one in four employees admit to missing work due to job-related stress. And nearly half of all American employees report feeling “stressed out” compared to 39% of workers in other countries.

High stress levels can have a negative impact on health (increasing risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes) and also negatively impact the company’s bottom line with increasing health care costs. Each year, businesses in the United States pay more than $300 billion in medical, legal, insurance, increased absenteeism, and diminished productivity.

With the holidays approaching, stress levels are bound to rise as workers struggle to balance office responsibilities, family, money, and time off. Help employees thrive under pressure with the following tips:

Encourage Time Management. Let employees know that it’s okay to ask for help if they are feeling overwhelmed. Newsletters like Top Performance from Personal Best offer advice on how to cope with pressure, manage time between work, family, and hobbies, and how to become more creative at work.

Enforce Communication. In any work environment, you’re bound to have conflicting opinions. Encourage employees to listen to each other and talk with an open mind, verses getting upset and stressed out over minor disagreements. Try tacking up posters for a visual reminder on the secrets to good communication. Or try handing out brochures that address teamwork, goal setting, how to stress-proof your job, and other related topics.

Push for Exercise. The Mayo Clinic says just 30 minutes a day will increase endorphins in the brain, help shift focus to less stressful events, and improve mood. Motivational tools like a walking journal can help inspire walking at lunch, or before or after work.

Avoid Burnout. Stress in the workplace can be controlled, and kept to a healthy minimum with tips from the Stress Management booklet from Personal Best. Each one includes tips on how to avoid employee burnout, stress management techniques, and how to accumulate less stress overall. Try the Stress Calculator from the University of Maryland Medical System for a guideline on how stress may be affecting your health.