17th July 2018

Managing Stress in the Workplace

Stress in the workplace is very common. And as the majority of people are not able to just switch off the minute they clock off, this stress can also have a huge impact on their health and home life.

We spend an average of 8 hours a day at work. With the ever-changing economy and spending cuts, we are expected to do more during this time than ever before. With more jobs becoming computerised, higher unemployment and immigration rates job security also  feels like a thing of the past. It is therefore not surprising that a lot of people feel under pressure to perform better and find themselves stressed in the workplace.

Whilst a little stress can be a very good thing to keep us on our toes, too much stress can have a detrimental effect on the quality of the work we produce and can also lead us on a downward spiral of mood swings, trouble sleeping, strains in our personal lives, depression, anxiety and a general degeneration of health. 

So, what can be done to avoid stress in the workplace? 

While there is no specific law aimed at workplace stress, employers do have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their staff.

The management of stress is one of the reasons many employers send employees to Financial Wellbeing programmeswhere stress management techniques are discussed and, as a financial worry tends to be top of the list, various strategies can be outlined to manage day day living effectively and generally reduce stress levels overall.

Fortunately, there are also a number of non-work-related changes each individual can make that will increase productivity at work and general well-being all around: 

Healthy Eating 

Filling our bodies with sugary foods and other bad carbs may give the body an initial boost, but it soon comes slumping down feeling fatigued and exhausted. This is called the “sugar hangover”. Ensuring we eat plenty of vegetables and whole grains that are high in fibre and release energy slowly will fuel our body to work more proactively. Protein made up of lean meats and fish to keep our body strong and feeling full as well as healthy snacks like nuts and fruit are a perfect combination for a productive mind. In the long run a healthy diet will make you feel energised, more awake and help your brain work better. 

Take a break

Our minds can only optimally concentrate for 45 mins at a time. Stepping away for 5 – 10 mins every hour will increase productivity and reduce the likelihood of getting side tracked. Taking a lunch break away from the desk also ensures the afternoons work is more productive than working through lunch.

Regular exercise

Everyone knows exercise is good for you. Not only does it make you feel more alert, it also changes the brain to improve memory and thinking skills whilst helping to relieve stress and anxiety and provide a multitude of health benefits for your body.

Sleep

Although the misconception to work longer hours during busy times may seem like the right thing to do, no one can be at their productive peak when tired. An average of 8 hours sleep a night is the perfect way to ensure your body wakes up refreshed every morning and your mind is alert and sharp.

Confiding in a colleague

Support from work colleagues can be a huge stress reliever to some people. A problem shared is a problem halved. More often than not colleagues suffer from the same anxieties and stresses and talking about these issues can really take a load off.

Rob Tinsley, Pandora Consulting

Business Development, Rob Tinsley, Pandora Retirement