Stress Awareness Day

It's Stress Awareness Day today and whilst stress has become an unavoidable consequence of modern living, it's also very prevalent in the workplace and can be a major problem. Stress awareness is an important part of maintaining a healthy workplace. A healthy workplace helps keep good talent. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on our health, both mental and physical. In severe cases, it can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of stress and to know how to manage it. There are a variety of signs that can indicate that you are experiencing stress. These include:

Physical Signs:   headaches, muscle tension or pain, chest pain, fatigue, change in eating habits, change in sleeping habits, gastrointestinal problems

Emotional Signs:   anxiety, restlessness, irritability or anger, depression or sadness, lack of motivation or focus and forgetfulness.

Behavioural Signs:   overeating or undereating, increased use of alcohol or drugs, tobacco use, social withdrawal It's not just the workers who are suffering—stress also takes a toll on productivity, profitability, and morale.

So what can be done to reduce stress in the workplace? First, it's important to understand what causes stress in the first place. Once you know what the triggers are, you can put policies and procedures in place to help mitigate them. Here are some of the most common causes of stress in the workplace:

• Unrealistic deadlines - If employees feel like they're constantly being asked to do more with less, it's no wonder they're stressed out. Make sure deadlines are realistic and that employees have the resources they need to get their work done.
• Lack of control -  Employees who feel like they don't have any control over their work are more likely to experience stress. Giving workers some autonomy over their projects can go a long way toward reducing stress levels.
• Poor communication - Miscommunication is one of the most common causes of stress in the workplace. When expectations aren't clear or there's a breakdown in communication, it can lead to frustration and even conflict. Make sure everyone is on the same page by establishing clear channels of communication and encouraging open dialogue.
• Inflexible work hours - Rigid work hours can make it difficult for employees to balance their work and personal lives. If possible, offer flexible scheduling options so employees can better manage their time.

 Stress is a fact of life in today’s world. But just because it’s unavoidable doesn’t mean that we have to suffer the consequences. By being aware of the signs of stress and taking steps to manage it, we can protect our mental and physical health. Workplace stress is a serious problem that can have a negative impact on both employees and employers. Simply by understanding the causes of stress and putting policies in place to mitigate them, you can create a more productive, healthy, and happy workplace for everyone involved.

In the video here, we give 3 simple techniques to use in the workplace to try to combat and alleviate some stress.