There is no doubt that stress is one on of the leading factors in illness and absenteeism among employees. Besides lowering a person's immune response, stress makes us want to avoid whatever is causing it. If there is stress at work, workers who feel mildly off will feel even worse and resist coming to work. This costs many hours of productivity, especially when key personnel or production workers are absent'in fact, it's estimated that $300 billion is lost on stress-caused illnesses and absenteeism.
A workplace that supports stress management through workplace wellness programs not only helps their employees to handle pressure better and stay healthier during times of stress, it also sends a message that their company cares about them. This provides emotional support as well as physical support for fighting the effects of stress.
How a Workplace Wellness Program Can Help
When your employees are stressed, very likely there is one primary cause and several secondary causes. For instance, a worker may suffer stress due to poor interpersonal relationships with other workers and problems communicating. Addressing stress will help the worker feel better and regain connections to other workers, thereby reducing the stress in those areas.
Although a workplace wellness program can't de-stress everything a worker faces?like layoffs, cutbacks, firings, etc.?it can help with the physical effects of stress and help the worker cope when getting the pink slip. A healthy employee will have enough energy to move on and find another job but the unhealthy employee may suffer even more physical maladies from stress and plunge into depression. An employee who is watching others get fired or laid off will always be thinking, "When am I going to get the axe?"
There are several steps you can take to reduce job stress.
Get a clear job description to avoid miscommunications that cause stress, and to make sure you are doing tasks within your sphere of responsibility only.
Get a new job. While this is not always an ideal solution, sometimes it's the only one'a workplace wellness program will help with the stress of this change.
Find supportive agencies and programs to help you either deal with the stress?such as the workplace wellness program'or find a new position. Isolation is destructive.
Change positions within the company. Perhaps your training is not in the field where you are working, or you are being asked by a supervisor to do things far outside work hours and described responsibilities. If you like the company you work for but hate your job, this may be the answer.
See if your company has an employee assistance program, which is sometimes part of a workplace wellness program, if there are layoffs and firings going on around you. If so, use these services even if you have been told you will remain at the company?things change daily in the business world.
Tip 1: Realize that anger is a choice you make
Anger is not a form of power, strength or control. It is a toxin that affects all aspects of your life.It narrows focus, creates confusion and blocks creative solutions. When anger arises, stop, breathe deeply, and immediately look at the larger perspective. Put the incident in context. For a moment, allow the other person to be "right". Tell yourself you have plenty of time to be right later. Your main goal is to have the anger subside so you can see clearly.
Tip 2: Become aware of the 24 forms of anger
Anger camouflages itself and finds many covert ways of manifesting. Unrecognized anger turns into all kinds of unwanted behavior. Some of the 24 forms of anger are: depression, passive aggressive behavior, compulsions, perfectionism, gossiping and certain kinds of competition at the workplace. When you realize that these are being fuelled by anger, you can take appropriate steps to handle them.
Tip 3: Envision A Balanced Workplace
Relationship Balancing is the natural flow of energy, support and inspiration between individuals. When the flow is blocked or out of balance, individuals become depressed, apathetic, resentful, impeding success at work. When one feels needed and acknowledged, there is no end to their ability to tap their full potential. Envision a balanced workplace. Write down your vision and notice how it compares to the reality of your particular situation. This initial step provides a new focus.
Tip 4: Discover Your Relationship Balancing Quotient
List each individual you interact with. Score each person on the following questions from 1-10. a)I feel at ease with this person. b)I trust this person. c)I communicate naturally with this person. d) I understand what they're communicating to me. e) I am able to ask this person for what I want from them. f)I am able to give this person what they want from me. Assess exactly what is going on and what you want from each relationship. Separate your needs and wants. Make necessary adjustments to get this relationship back on track.
Tip 5: Balancing Your Workplace Relationships
These few points help a great deal in melting anger: Stop casting blame. By blaming others you are disempowering yourself. See the situation through your opponent's eyes. Blame dissolves on the spot. Let go of resentments. Resentment inevitably affects our well-being and always bounces back. Look for and find what is positive in that individual. Focus on that. Create realistic expectations. Let go of unrealistic fantasies. See what the person is truly giving to you. Be grateful for that. Remember, the best defense against being hurt is to feel good about yourself and the way a person responds to you says more about them, than about you.
Both John Payton & Brenda Shoshanna are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Payton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Quit Smoking, Mental Health and Health. John Payton a staff writer for located in Winston Salem, NC. His company is a one of a kind, independent wellness consulting agen. John Payton's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.