Employee Stress Levels
Small amounts of stress at work are normal and can help motivate us to get tasks accomplished. However, when stressors build up, it can be damaging to our health and well-being. In 2017, The American Institute of Stress, found that 80% of workers felt stressed on the job, 25% said their job is the number one stressor in their life and nearly half said they need help in learning how to manage stress. In 2018, this study conducted by the Korn Ferry Institute found that employee stress levels have risen nearly 20% over the past three decades and they are only continuing to rise.
According to the American Institute of Stress, prolonged states of stress can lead to a variety of health issues that affect both your physical and mental health including including depression, anxiety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, and a weakened immune system. In addition, they also published the list, “50 Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress” that outlines all the ways stress affects your body.
With that being said, we’ve collected the best tips from WELCOA on how to reduce your stress levels at work to ensure you stay happy, healthy, and productive!
Reducing Stress Levels in the Workplace
Be Adaptive: The Korn Ferry study found that changes in leadership caused 80% of employees additional stress. Whether it is changes in leadership, your client base, or meeting times, the workplace is constantly changing. The most important step in reducing your stress levels is to train yourself to be more adaptive. If you expect changes and are already prepared for them, you safe yourself from unnecessary stress. When a change occurs, try writing down a plan on how you will deal with it. This makes an overwhelming change seem much more manageable.
Focus on Opportunities: It can be easy to focus on what is limiting you or what you believe is holding you back from success. Once these kind of thoughts enter your mind, though, it immediately increases your stress levels and reduces your productivity. Instead, try to focus on your opportunities and the challenges you have overcome so far. This will improve your mood and your motivation, which will help reduce your stress levels.
Stay Positive: Research has proven that a positive attitude leads to a healthier, less stressed life. That is why WELCOA suggests working on keeping your mental script positive. While this isn’t something you can change overnight, you can train yourself to think positive. Start by catching your negative thoughts and changing them into positive thoughts. Each time you do this, positive thoughts will come more naturally and you will notice a big change in your stress levels.
Express Gratitude: Gratitude is a topic we have covered several times and we whole heartedly believe in the benefits of expressing it. Research done at the University of California, Davis found that there are numerous benefits of expressing gratitude, including reduced stress levels. Taking the time to appreciate those around you, the life you have been given, and everything you have accomplished will immediately help relieve your stress and improve your happiness.
For more information on reducing stress, visit WELCOA‘s website!
