Take positive steps to

improve stress management in the workplace

There is no universally agreed medical definition of stress. At its most simple, stress is your body’s physical response to mental or emotional pressure.

Our jobs, relationships, family life or money can all add to our levels of stress. When you’re stressed, your body believes it’s under attack and switches to what’s known as ‘fight or flight’ mode. As a result, a mix of hormones and chemicals are released into your body so that you prepare for physical action. Blood might be diverted to muscles, causing you to lose concentration or become less able to digest food.

When the threat passes, your body usually returns to normal. But if you’re continually under pressure this might not be the case.

• Identify early signs of stress and speak to your team members. Keep a note of what the issues are and what you both agree are the next steps. You could also speak with your HR team, who can offer advice on dealing with the situation.
• Communicate regularly and clearly with your team. Regular one to one meetings provide the opportunity to have an open and honest discussion, and identify if workload is becoming too much.
• Create a comfortable work environment. Stress can be made worse by noise, temperature, hygiene and you. Remember, your mood sets the tone of your team.
• Are the workloads of your team manageable? Encourage people to speak to you if they’re feeling overwhelmed or need your support.
• Make sure your team is fully trained and equipped to do their job and if not, offer training and support.
• Having resilient people in your team will help them deal with issues as they arise and bounce back from unexpected events.