Workplace Stress Management Training

Stress on the job creates gaping inefficiencies for businesses and institutions by lowering worker morale, productivity, and earnings. Workplace stress affects the performance of the brain, including functions of work performance; memory, concentration, and learning. In the UK over 13 million working days are lost every year because of stress. Stress is believed to trigger 70% of visits to doctors, and 85% of serious illnesses (UK HSE stress statistics).

Clearly, it should be in every employer's best interests to reduce workplace stress as much as possible! Employers need to provide good working environments for their employees in order to encourage positive attitudes and outlooks towards work.

In order to address this ever-present problem, employers should first identify the sources of stress. Among those to consider are specific work factors such as excessive workload and low wages, an unappealing physical environment, cynical organizational practices, regular workplace changes and edgy interpersonal relationships.

Once identified, these detrimental work factors should be removed or rectified by the employer. Simple, agreeable changes would include adding plants to make the workplace more vibrant, or maybe lowering cubicle dividers to make for a more breathable and less restrictive environment. Most workers would appreciate some music in the background as well - it's been found to increase productivity by keeping stress levels from building up.

In addition to modifications to the work environment, implementing motivation and a rewards system into the office scheme is another proactive approach to boost worker morale and lower stress levels. Giving incentives to well-performing employees is seen not only as a healthy office organizational practice, but also as a very good stress reliever. It gives the employee a sense of accomplishment and well-being.

Awards night, recognition lunches and employee appreciation events are just a few activities that motivate employees and dispel impressions of a stressful work environment. Workers will be assured that Management isn't taking their hard work for granted, and it motivates them to do even better.

Another good example would be team building exercises. Individuals participate and work as a team by carrying out tasks that are best accomplished with the participation of every individual in the group. Special importance should be given to the every member's responsibilities - this gives them a sense of being a part of something truly exciting, and not just another cog in a wheel.

And techniques to manage stress in the workplace don't have to be that elaborate, either. A joke posted daily on the bulletin board can help employees lighten up, helping them cope with the rigors of their workday. This is important to know - it's often the little things that they remember.

Different organizations have devised different types of stress management training for their members. Naturally, organizing a friendly basketball tournament isn't a problem for a company that employs a few hundred personnel, but it's impractical for an office of five! Stress Management Training programs are adapted to varying environments and specific needs of the target participants. But no matter how differently programs may be developed, the goals are always the same.

Some office administrations develop stress management training programs with the help of stress management consultants. These consultants are up-to-date with the latest trends in stress management training, and are therefore better able to come up with the best programs for any given organization. When you do consult with the experts, here are some things that you need to know:

1.) Not all workers are the same. In order for stress management training to be effective, participants need to realize that workplace stress is their own internal reaction to external stressors. After all, we don't react to the same thing the same way. Two co-workers can be exposed to the exact same amount of pressure and stress, work for the same boss, have the same expectations and workload, and yet one person internalizes the stress and performance suffers while the other person simply doesn't let it get to them.

2.) Workplace Stress Management Training is a scientific process, and it includes time management and psychological techniques in dealing with stress. This is meant to help the worker understand stress via its sources, such as work overload. Workers will then be better able to see stress in a different perspective, allowing themselves to recover from burnout and stress buildup.

Workplace stress is a problem that can only be solved when we know what causes it. It's difficult to see these causes from an administrative perspective, so it's often a good idea to ask the workers themselves. It's a given that they won't be shy about telling you what they think!

The Stress Management Site brings you all the latest information you need to assist you with stress management.

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