80% of workers say they feel stress on the job, with almost half saying they need help managing it.

There are several stress-relieving activities and practices you can enact in your business. Make them a part of the daily routine and lead by example. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with less stressed and more productive employees.

Read our guide to find out how to manage employee stress.

Stress-Relieving Activities and Practices

The top 5 causes of workplace stress include low pay, no advancement opportunities, heavy workloads, unrealistic job expectations, and excessive hours.

This stress can lead to decreased productivity and an increase in legal issues like personal injury claims. In fact, 1 in 5 employees cite stress as their reason for quitting.

Make sure to enact stress-relieving activities and practices if you want a force of effective employees.

Set Reasonable Goals and Expectations

When a manager or boss expects too much or too little, stress is bound to result.

Give your employees a reasonable amount of things to do so that they have something to focus on without getting overwhelmed. Be sure to communicate these goals and praise employees who meet or exceed them.

Communicate Often and Clearly

One of the most important things you can do to reduce employee stress is communicate with them.

Meeting with employees is one of the best ways to ensure they’re happy with their environment. Ask what kind of stress-relieving activities they’d like to take part in and let them know about any changes they’ve inspired.

While communication is important, there’s always the risk of having too much of a good thing. Employees hate being hovered over as much as being ignored, so try to only check on them when you see a real need to.

Create a Healthy Environment

It’s important to make sure employees can take care of their physical as well as mental health. The two are closely connected, as physical stress can harm the mind.

Every part of your business should have enough space for walking. This will make it easier for employees to move around and encourage them to do so often.

It’s also important to keep your employees’ diets in mind. Offer healthy snacks at work in vending machines, at cafeterias, and in other easily accessible places.

Flexibility is critical to a healthy work environment. Work with employees to make sure their work schedule doesn’t interfere with their life. Don’t be afraid to offer work from home options, as a change of scenery can greatly reduce stress.

Enact Stress-Relieving Activities

Mindfulness is a method for getting in touch with your feelings and thoughts. Meditation is one of the most common methods, and enacting it in the workplace can have a major impact.

Don’t count out playing games at work. Anything from board games to team-building exercises and other fun activities can give employees a needed break from the everyday grind.

No matter what stress-relieving activities you add to your business policy, it’s important to lead by example. Make sure you do the things you expect your employees to do.

Check here for more stress management tips.

How to Manage Stress

Stress is a major problem in modern society that can harm employees and businesses.

Effective managers enact stress-relieving activities like games and regular breaks. They’ll also ensure that their business is a healthy environment for everyone, set reasonable expectations, and communicate with employees to see how they can improve.

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