Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 Ways to Help Your Team Combat Stress

Today’s work environment can often feel like an overburdened pressure cooker, with deadlines, team dynamics and managing personal lives creating stress for employees. Below are five clever strategies designed to help your team relax, destress and tap into its inner peace.

Shared problems are half solved. Encouraging your team to discuss any stressors openly without fear of reprisals, creating an atmosphere in which employees feel safe to voice concerns can make all the difference in the world. Make use of regular check-ins with staff members as a means of keeping conversations constructive, encouraging the use of “I feel” statements when appropriate, listening actively while offering assistance and resources as needed.

Gone are the days when employees were expected to remain chained to their desks from dawn till dusk, as flexible working hours and telecommuting options can dramatically decrease stress levels in your team. Work when your team members feel most productive, while taking time off when necessary for recuperation. Not to mention, wearing pyjama pants is hard to get stressed. Lead by example and take advantage of flexible working yourself.

Consider setting aside one area of the office as a tranquil sanctuary. A relaxing space filled with comfortable seating, soothing music, and maybe even plants can work wonders to ease an overwhelmed mind. Encourage team members to take brief breaks here for meditation, breathing exercises, or simply unplugging from their screens . Even just 10 minutes can do wonders for productivity and mental wellbeing. Don’t forget to designate times without meetings so they have uninterrupted focus while giving their bodies and minds time to decompress.

Stressful work environments often stem from feeling trapped or uncertain of their future, so investing in your team’s professional development not only upskills them, but also shows that they are valued within the company. From workshops, courses, or conferences, increased competence and confidence can significantly decrease work-related anxiety while new insights and skills provided through them bring fresh approaches and fresh approaches for solving problems in your workplace. And who knows, you may discover future leaders within your team.

Establishing a corporate health program can be transformative in terms of relieving workplace stress and fostering employee wellbeing. Initiatives could include offering memberships to gyms or yoga classes, organising team-based fitness challenges, providing nutritional counselling services, and providing corporate health assessment services. By prioritising physical wellbeing, companies not only increase energy and morale while simultaneously contributing to reduced instances of sick leave and healthcare costs, but fostering an atmosphere that prioritises wellness reinforces commitment towards holistic employee wellness, creating a positive work environment.

Stress at work is like steeping tea bags, how you choose to address it will determine the strength and flavour of the infusion. By employing these strategies, you can help your team effectively manage stress for greater happiness, health, and productivity in the workplace. A stress-free team not only excels but also delivers stellar performances that lead to star-worthy business success.

This article was written by Brenda Berg and originally appeared on Your Coffee Break.