If you look at the statistics on the most common reasons adults are stressed nowadays, most will cite work as the top reason. From the amount of work they have to deal with each day to the toxic work environment they have to work in, both affect a person’s productivity and health. The longer the stress is not dealt with, the more it can lead to serious illness and death. For a business, it can cost them a lot of time and money since they will need to replace these employees and retrain them.

Whether you are a team leader or a team member, you can help your team manage their work-related stress. Here are some great examples you can start with:

Use Mindfulness And Meditation Techniques

When you talk about mindfulness, it means staying focused for the rest of the day and actively engaging with what is before you. To stay mindful, you can lead your team with simple practices like meditation, breathing exercises, or even a short nap. These exercises may be simple, but they can definitely make a difference for employees who need a brief break from their tasks.

Schedule Breaks

It is also great to encourage others to take regular breaks to prevent burnout. Make sure to help them time their breaks so they don’t overdo it and can get the energy they need to resume afterwards. 5- to 10-minute breaks between tasks can be a great start to managing that stress you’re feeling.

Support Work-Life Balance

A healthy work-life balance can definitely help with long-term work-related stress. There are many ways to promote work-life balance at work, such as helping your team create boundaries that let them stop working beyond their hours. You can also use timers to prevent their computers from working at a particular time.

Be An Example

You can also lead by example by showing them how you manage your work-related stress accordingly and achieve work-life balance. Take the breaks you need, and even attend events focused on stress relief and management. If your teammates need examples or advice on managing stress, don’t hesitate to share your experience.

Offer Employee Assistance Programs

If your company can provide it or does not have it, promote or propose Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to help employees address mental health challenges, such as stress. EAPs include all the materials employees may need about their situation, confidential counselling so they can talk about it without fear of criticism or scrutiny, and additional support.

If your company does not offer it, ask your team what they are looking for in these assistance programs, and see what is available in your area so it is easy to access.

Open Many Avenues For Communication

Sometimes, employees try to hide their stress because they don’t want to draw attention from the rest of the team or even be seen as an outcast. They are also afraid of what it could mean for their chances of promotion.

With this in mind, start regular one-on-one check-ins with your team and set up anonymous feedback channels so they can discuss their situation privately. This will also help you identify any issues that are causing stress for your team and find the best solution to address them.

Get Wellness Programs

Doing wellness routines such as yoga, exercise programs and other similar programs. These will give your team the tools they need to support their well-being and shift their mindset. It will also foster a sense of community within your team, helping them become closer to one another.

Create Realistic Goals And Expectations

One reason people become too stressed at work is that the goals given to them are unrealistic and cannot be achieved in a short period of time. Some managers even have unrealistic expectations of their employees, which makes it harder for employees to keep up. As a team leader or teammate, it is best to help others make their projects more manageable and offer help if needed. This will reduce the pressure they may be feeling and boost their job satisfaction.

Fitness Works Wonders

Exercise can actually help with work-related stress. Encourage the team to do daily callisthenics before work or as a way to unwind during breaks. You can even make it a bonding exercise that brings you closer together.

Schedule Stress Management Exercises

Since people differ in how they handle stress, it would be wise to schedule various training workshops on managing stress more effectively. These workshops are an excellent way for your team to recognise when their colleagues are stressed and how they can help them get through it.

Always Be Open To Rewarding Your Team

At the end of the day, the best stress reliever for anyone – including yourself – is when your work is appreciated by the team and recognised. As a team member or team leader, don’t hesitate to recognise your team’s efforts and reward them when possible. You will definitely see a difference in their bearing after you express your appreciation or reward them.

Whether you are a team leader or a teammate, helping your team cope with stress isn’t as complicated as you think it is. By using the tips above to help everyone boost their well-being and improve their productivity and satisfaction, you can make the workplace more welcoming for everyone. It will also reduce the likelihood of the team falling apart due to stress, which can cost the team both time and money. A stress-free team will change the dynamic and achieve goals without problems!

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