Stress Awareness Month: 4 ways to handle stress

Stress Awareness Month takes place in April every year. We celebrate this key date to raise awareness of stress’s effects on us and how we can tackle these using tools and resources. At ifeel, we believe mental health plays a crucial role in our lives both inside and outside the workplace. Keep reading to find out how to deal with work-related stress and what you can do during Stress Awareness Month to help your employees. 

Do you know how to handle stress at work? Stress can take over the team and hinder productivity, so it is a must in any strategy to care for employees’ psychological well-being. However, not all companies know how to carry out systematic and efficient prevention and proper approach when it comes to learning how to handle stress at work. This is why implementing emotional well-being programs for companies, such as the one designed by ifeel’s team of psychologists, is so helpful. 

Stress is the reaction of our organism when it perceives that the tasks it has to face exceed its resources. It is a natural response that allows us to adapt to the circumstances. However, when the stress response is too high and is prolonged in time beyond what is necessary, our body suffers a severe strain that can seriously damage our health.

Stress Awareness Week: spot the signs

When stress is left unaddressed in the workplace, it can lead to a decline in employee relationships. This can cause a decrease in motivation and commitment to the company, worsening the situation. Furthermore, chronic stress can take a toll on one’s physical and psychological health, resulting in fatigue, weakened immune function, impaired attention and memory, and feelings of anxiety and helplessness. If left untreated, prolonged stress can even result in employees needing to take mental health sick leave.

Mental health sick leave due to stress

There are many negative consequences for companies when employees take mental health sick leave. It can lead to reduced productivity and increased absenteeism since employees experiencing mental health issues may require time off work to get better. This, in turn, can result in a decrease in the company’s revenue and profitability.

Implementing a workplace well-being program, such as the one ifeel offers to its clients and partners, has become the backbone for organizations. It is an effective tool for prevention and addressing mental health issues.

It is important to note that returning to work after a mental health-related absence generally requires significant effort from both the employee and the company. Therefore, the abovementioned training, awareness-raising, and professional guidance can be especially beneficial. This is why it is critical to emphasize Stress Awareness Month amongst employees and raise awareness of mental health issues at work. 

How can we handle stress at work?

There are many strategies and techniques that can help tackle stress at work. Take a look at our resource on identifying stress among your employees to help you assess the situation in your company. Take a look at the following tips you can implement in your daily life. 

1. Identify the root cause

Determine what is causing stress, such as excessive workload, deadlines, or interpersonal conflicts. By identifying the source of stress, you can take steps to address it directly.

2. Breaks at work

Take care of yourself both physically and mentally by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. If you work remotely, make sure you take proper breaks by leaving the house, taking a walk, and separating your home office from your bedroom/living room. If you work on-site, you should also take regular breaks. It is good to socialize with colleagues, go for a walk outside, or stretch your legs once in a while. This will help prevent burnout, boost creativity, and clear your mind. 

3. Prioritize tasks

Break down your tasks into minor, manageable actions and prioritize them based on importance. This can help you feel more organized and less overwhelmed. When you prioritize your tasks, you focus your energy and attention on the most important and urgent tasks first. This helps you complete them efficiently and effectively, leading to a sense of accomplishment and increased productivity.

4. Work-life balance

Creating a clear separation between work and personal life reduces stress. It is essential to set clear boundaries between these two areas and avoid letting work spill over into your personal life. One way to do this is by establishing regular working hours and sticking to them as much as possible. Try switching off from work-related tasks and focusing on personal activities when not working.

5. Implement an emotional well-being program 

Tackling stress once it has emerged is difficult. However, if companies implement an emotional well-being program from the beginning, they can prevent mental health issues from arising in the first place. By prioritizing employee well-being, companies can also demonstrate their commitment to their employees’ mental health, which can improve their reputation as an employer and attract top talent.

We hope you found this post about Stress Awareness Month interesting. If you want more information about ifeel’s emotional well-being service for companies, simply get in touch, and we will contact your team as soon as possible.