When stress manifests in the workplace, it impacts both productivity and the wellbeing of employees. As such, it’s crucial to be able to identify the signs, manage the environment and know when to either seek help for yourself or implement strategies for managing stress in the workplace.

Stress management courses are crucial for professionals. Why? Because stress is harmful to both physical and emotional health. What’s more, stress undermines the productivity and success of individuals and teams.

So, why does stress occur in the workplace? Generally, stress results from a conflict between job demands and the sense of control in execution. But stress is also caused by poor interpersonal relations in the workplace.

Stress Management for Professionals is a professional development course that will help you manage personal stress in the workplace and reduce stress in your colleagues and teams.

In this stress management course, you will discover several strategies for managing stress in the workplace. You’ll discover the signs, symptoms and causes of occupational stress, as well as how to reduce stress within a team.

Learning Outcomes

Topics covered include strategies for managing stress in the workplace, and:

• Signs of stress and list of stressors
• Symptoms and effects of stress
• Causes of occupational and or workplace stress
• Overcoming stress-based issues
• Effective managers/team leaders
• Angry/abusive customers
• Bullying
• Employee turnover
• Lack of control/autonomy
• Rostering and repetition
• Targets / KPI’s
• Reliable technology
• Stress in the work environment
• Measuring stress levels
• Signs of behavioural stress
• Stress management techniques
• The mechanics of stress
• Stressful situations
• Three levels of stress management
• Personal stress management strategy
• Sign and sources of stress
• Personal stamina and resilience
• Learning from your past
• Work/life balance
• Prioritising your obligations and needs
• Role modelling
• Fatigue and stress
• Casual factors of stress
• Stress management techniques
• Key performance indicators
• Supporting each other
• Reducing stress within the team
• Recovering from stress
• Stamina management strategies
• Work routines
• Time management
• Training and development programs
• Coaching staff
• Evaluation
• Internal and external support

 

And more…

 

What is Occupational Stress?

Occupational stress is the physical, mental and emotional reactions of workers who perceive that their work demands exceed their abilities or their resources (time, access to help or support) to do the work.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress at Work

 There are many strategies for managing stress in the workplace and many ways to identify stress.  If you identify with the following signs and symptoms or recognise these occurring in a colleague, work-related stress could be the culprit.

• Job dissatisfaction
• Low morale
• Insomnia/tiredness
• Restlessness
• Irritability/angry outbursts
• Low mood
• Dependence on caffeine or alcohol
• Low productivity
• Low achievement
• Absenteeism/ sick leave
• Physical ailments (headache, backache, lingering colds)
• Negativity (finding fault)
• Defensiveness
• Accident-prone

 

5 Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace

1. Recognition and Respect

The World Health Organisation reports that being respected and appreciated in the workplace is a fundamental human need. Further, research shows that many stressful experiences are linked to feeling offended (i.e., being excluded, ridiculed or engaged in conflicts). These negative experiences have far-reaching consequences for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in the workplace.

Conversely, feeling appreciated is an essential factor in motivation, satisfaction, health and wellbeing. Research reveals that appreciation and respect and how this is communicated are predictors of occupational health and wellbeing.

Recognition and reward systems in the workplace help reduce stress in the workplace and build positive regard.

2. Stress-Reducing Activities

Explore programs that can help reduce stress in the workplace, such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness or tai chi. Programs could be offered before or after work or during lunch breaks. Many mobile health and wellness providers will facilitate stress-reducing activities at the workplace.

Yoga and stress – You can fight stress and find serenity with regular yoga classes. In fact, yoga has been shown to enhance mood through a combination of breathing exercises and poses that have powerful physical and psychological benefits. Namaste!

Mindfulness – Mindfulness is the act of focusing on breathing and being in the moment. At a workplace, mindfulness can include confronting situations with compassion, openness and patience without judgement.

Meditation – Numerous studies show that meditation is a successful stress-management tool, and those who practice regularly can manage stress better. It’s about training the brain to be less reactive to stressors – whether that’s work, relationships, finances or the hellish commute to the office!

Tai Chi – this ancient Chinese tradition is based on martial arts and involves slow movements and deep breaths. It’s a proven technique to improve balance and cognition and reduce anxiety and depression.

3. Exercise & Fitness

Can your workplace encourage physical fitness?  Exercise is a natural, potent anti-anxiety treatment. Better yet, it’s free! You don’t need a gym onsite to get employees to move more. Could you organise a weekly walk to work day – whether that’s leaving the car at home or getting off the bus early to clock up a few thousand steps before 9 am? After all, every bit of movement helps. Another motivator could be a weekly group fitness class for your colleagues. Can you source a fitness professional to facilitate a group class in the workplace or near work during lunch breaks?

4. Support Services

Does your workplace offer support services for mental health and wellbeing? If so, ensure your colleagues or team members know how to seek support for stress or anxiety. If not, don’t worry as there are many national support services that you can promote in your workplaces, such as Headspace, Beyond Blue and Lifeline. You can contact these organisations for promotional materials such as banners, posters and information leaflets to put in your workspace.

5. Invest in Personal Development

When employees feel valued, they thrive. Many professional and personal development courses help combat stress and teach coping strategies, such as anger management, motivation theory, building self-esteem and assertiveness skills, mental health awareness and communicating with confidence courses.

Learning is a lifelong commitment – and achievement makes people feel more in control. If you’d like to enrol yourself or a colleague in one of our online courses, contact one of our friendly support staff today for more information.

 

Gain the knowledge and power to implement strategies for managing stress in the workplace with a stress management course, such as the Certificate of Stress Management for Professionals.