Stress Management Training in the Workplace

What is stress management training?

Stress management programs in the workplace teach employees to identify signs of stress, burnout, and mental health difficulties in themselves and their employees. It also provides them with the skills needed to offer support when an employee is experiencing stress. In this piece, we explore the effects of stress.

Stress management training is often needed by those seeking to find a better work- and-personal-life balance. Managing stress includes a wide range of methods and tools suited to manage and control an individual’s stress levels to enhance the daily performance and mood of the individual.

What is Stress?

Stress can occur when an individual feels weighed down or that they have bitten off more than they can chew, so to speak. When someone experiences stress, their body automatically puts up defenses and reacts as if in danger. This often results in an increased heart rate, heavy and rapid breathing, or bursts of energy.

Stress is not always negative, however. In fact, some levels of stress are viewed as healthy and can motivate an individual to perform better and react more quickly. When someone experiences enduring or recurring stress, though. it can lead to negative physical and mental health effects. Some of the unwanted impacts of stress include headaches and migraines, upset stomachs, trouble sleeping, back pain, and a weakened immune system.

Types of Stress

People are different and as such, some may tolerate higher levels of stress than others or may tolerate different breaking points. The level of stress an individual experiences may also be dependent upon factors not directly related to their work life, but in their personal lives. 

The most common type of stress is acute stress which is short-term and feels similar to an adrenaline rush. Chronic stress is the concerning variety. As the name suggests, chronic stress is ongoing. Individuals who experience sustained stress levels often begin to suffer from the physical symptoms of stress.

Some Tips for Managing Stress in the Workplace

The best way to handle stress in the workplace is to learn healthy techniques that aid in coping with stress and other mental health challenges. By enrolling in stress management training courses and programs, participants can learn coping skills to manage their stress in a healthy manner.

In these courses, participants learn to recognize the major sources and triggers of their stress reactions and how to cut down or cut out those stressors.

Here are some stress management techniques to try to managing stress at work: 

• Start your day positively with a positive attitude,  good planning, and healthy food.
• Listen to music to help set your mood in the morning and shift your mood at the end of the workday.
• Create a comfortable physical workspace to make the work enjoyable.
• Take short exercise breaks throughout the day to lift your mood.
• Stay focused and don't multitask.
• Keep yourself organized to stay ahead of surprises and on top of tasks.
• Avoid perfectionism. Strive to do your best instead.
• Clarify expectations and avoid conflict-prone behaviors like gossiping. 

How can Organizations and Managers Reduce Stress in the Workplace?

There are several strategies organizations and managers can initiate for managing employee stress:

• Offer an employee wellbeing program that encourages positive physical and mental health initiatives.
• Allow flexible work arrangements so employees can decide for themselves how best to work, manage their commutes and schedules.
• Establish workspaces within the office to enhance different types of work, i.e. quiet areas.
• Leading by example and regularly communicating.
• Re-think how and why tasks and work get delegated.

Stress Management Training Courses

Stress management training can take several different forms depending on the individual's or organizational needs. One objective in common by all stress management courses is that they will help you to figure out your stressors and triggers. and provide you with coping strategies.

If your company is one in which high levels of stress among employees is the norm, then you should schedule in-house stress management training to proactively head off related issues and help stress-affected employees. 

Everyone, no matter the industry, has a different threshold for stress. Managers, in particular, are in danger of becoming stressed due to the many demands they juggle. Consider scheduling a stress management class for managers in your organization. Not only will it help the manager directly, it will also help them in recognizing the signs in a stressed employee and guide the manager as to how to help.