Approximately 25 percent of American employees view work as their No. 1 stressor, while 40 percent said their jobs are very stressful, Entrepreneur reported. With those numbers, work-related stress is negatively impacting your staff's health. Why not try and implement a few of the suggestions below to help your workers remain calm at work?
1. Provide healthy snacks
Include a food budget in your financial plan starting now. Snacks that are high in vitamins and minerals can decrease cortisol levels, which cause stress, according to the source. Cashews, oranges and berries are a few of the foods that can help your employees relax. Bananas and potatoes are also good sources of potassium, which can reduce blood pressure and increase energy, The Huffington Post explained. While healthy snacks are definitely better for stress levels, you shouldn't be afraid to throw some junk food in there. Eating or drinking sweet things stops the production of glucocorticoid, a stress hormone.
2. Get your workers moving
To quote Elle Woods, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." Getting your employees to step away from their desks, whether that's to hit the gym or go for a walk, will reduce their stress levels, according to HuffPost. It's even better if it's outside, where the foliage and fresh air can calm you into a state of mediation. Yoga is also a great source of exercise for stressed employees, as it can further increase feel-good hormones.
3. Listen
Your workers aren't stressed for no reason. Something is causing their anxiety and they'll be able to tell you what it is. Don't be afraid to be the proverbial shoulder to cry on. They need someone to talk to and you can easily be that person, Business Environment explained. Giving them the opportunity to let out their feelings will increase the chances that they'll return to their desks worry-free.
4. Decorate the office
Adding some color to your white walls will boost morale. It doesn't have to be paint either. Get decorations in an assortment of colors and hang them on the walls. Keep in mind that colors can affect moods, so choose greens, which are calming and reassuring, yellows to increase optimism or blues to boost productivity, according to A Life of Productivity. Don't forget to throw in some plants, too. Not only will they break up toxic elements in the air, they'll also help lower your employees' blood pressures, Business Environment explained.
5. Crank some tunes
Putting on music that your staff enjoys will increase dopamine levels in their brains, according to HuffPost. Various studies have reported that listening to your favorite songs is especially advantageous to those who work in stressful environments. Either crank your company's radio or allow your employees to play some of their own. It'll help soothe their nerves.
6. Relax their bodies and minds
Approximately 62 percent of workers leave their jobs with stress-related neck pain, 44 percent with tired eyes and 38 percent with sore hands, Entrepreneur reported. Why not bring in services that can help with that? While it doesn't have to be a regular thing, consider bringing in a masseuse or yoga instructor once or twice a month. Relaxing both their bodies and minds will get them in the right mood to finish work and go home stress-free.
Your business relies on your employees being able to work. However, if they're stressed out all the time, their productivity levels are going to fall. Keep office morale up by providing anxiety-reducing foods and activities and increasing the positivity among your workers.