The modern workplace certainly looks very different if we compare it to what it used to be, decades or centuries ago, but there is one thing that has not changed – the presence of stress.
Recent economic and global events have increased the need to properly address stress-related issues at the work place, as scientific studies have collected data to show the effects of high levels of stress. The most common effects are a decrease in productivity, and in many cases it can come hand-in-hand with negative health outcomes for the individuals. When an employee is working remotely, it is even harder to identify their stress level and consequently, apply correcting measures, since there is less (or none) in-person contact with supervisors and peers. Feeling that a situation is out of control, having the sense of missing out or not being recognized, are reasons that can lead to stress at the workplace. Below are some broadly applicable solutions and recommendations to reduce stress for you and your teams:
- Eliminating interruptions. There are so many things that can be distracting (social media, internet, games, email, news, text, etc.) and are vying for our attention. These distractions are so easily accessible that it’s very tempting not to miss out on any of them. Whether they are all beeping at the same time or spread out just enough to prevent us from focusing, we are likely to get stressed out once we are running out of time to finish our work tasks.
- Planning ahead on meetings and tasks. Sometimes we may not have control over the object or person reaching out to us, and most likely we wouldn’t want to ignore our boss, as well as ignoring important tasks in our agendas, but if we have certain visibility ahead, we can organize and plan correctly, assigning the correct amount of time and energy to each tasks. Scheduling and maintaining an accurate and well-planned schedule can go a long way in reducing stress.
- Have a contingency plan for unexpected situations and don’t be robotic. For unique but urgent interruptions (unplanned and crucial to resolve), take a step back, breath and analyze the situation. It’s always better to have a clear head and understand your options before making an incorrect decision. Classifying and prioritizing the activities on your agenda can allow you to allocate proper time and resources, in order to solve the urgent matter at hand. Strategize before taking action and don’t be robotic.
Overall, scheduling breaks correctly and disconnection time between different tasks can help you better manage your energy flow and reduce stress. If the schedule doesn’t work out exactly as planned remember, take a breath and remember the importance of staying flexible.
At Sincerus Solutions (staffing services) our team is here to help your organization and it would be a pleasure to connect with you. Let one of our consultants strategize with you to see how we could provide value to you by partnering with us.