Do you want to see productivity go up and costs go down? Keep your employees healthy and focused with these 10 stress busters.
As
an entrepreneur, you're accustomed to dealing with high stress levels,
but what about your employees? Yes, they have stress, too. And when work
stress builds up, your team members become less productive and emotionally disconnected, and they lose sleep.
Last week Inc's Graham Winfrey posted a very telling infographic on The Scary Truth About Stress in the Workplace.
Did you know that stress-related health care and missed work are
costing employers $300 billion a year? Heck, for a small business even
$3,000 a year is a lot. It's time to pay attention to your employees'
stress levels, not just because it's costing you but also to show them
you care.
Here are 10 free or inexpensive ways to help your team de-stress on the job.
Learning more about these simple things may even help them develop
healthy habits outside of work. Healthy, happy employees will lower your
stress level as well, so there are benefits all around.
1. Let them come in late or leave early.
That's right, flex time offers employees a
sense of independence, which is known to reduce stress even more than
shorter hours. As long as they are meeting quotas and getting the job
done, do you really care which hours they choose to do it in? Of course,
some employees do need to be present during specific hours. Try
staggering their hours to give these team members a sense of
independence, too.
2. Feed and educate them.
Studies have linked vitamin B with good
mental health, and omega-3s may help reduce symptoms of depression and
anxiety. Whole-grain carbs help regulate levels of serotonin,
the "feel-good" neurotransmitter that helps us remain calm. In short,
eating right ranks high on the list of stress-busting activities.
Busy people tend to grab a snack from the
vending machine and eat at their desks. You'll help them break that
habit when you cater a healthy lunch-and-learn once a month. Many local
professionals who are willing to come in to talk about nutrition and
other health-related topics.
3. Talk to them.
When I work with my clients' employees, I
hear a lot of complaints about being kept in the dark at work. Concerns
over pending changes, the state of the company, and unknown expectations
cause great stress. Don't keep your employees in the dark. Communicate
what you expect of them, how they are doing, what they can improve upon,
and what's ahead for the company.
4. Take a break to imagine.
By now you've probably heard that meditation
is relaxing, but what scientists are also discovering is that
meditation actually increases the amount of grey matter in the brain,
essentially rewiring the body to stress less. Other benefits include
boosting cognitive function, strengthening the immune system, and
reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Do an online search for "guided
visualizations" and choose a few recordings to share with your team
(many are free). Most of them are under 10 minutes and offer lasting
benefits. Doing a guided visualization is much easier for the beginner
than a silent meditation, but just as effective.
5. Make 'em laugh.
When you come across a funny video, share it
with the office. Don't just forget those silly jokes you hear. Instead,
share them at the start of weekly meetings. If silliness feels too
unnatural for you or you don't have the time, assign an employee to be
your laugh ambassador.
6. Take your meeting for a walk.
If your team consists of only two or three people, you really don't have to sit around a conference table for every meeting.
Why not do a little exercise and take in some fresh air while you're
sharing your updates and ideas? A break in the routine will also give
them a break from the stress.
7. Offer relaxing smells.
Pure essential oils are known to reduce
tension in the body and help increase mental clarity. Purchase an
inexpensive ultrasonic diffuser and some quality essential oils (I use
Young Living) and sparingly share these olfactory delights in the
office. Make sure to inquire about allergies and sensitivities before
you make the investment.
8. Encourage breaks.
Deadlines and demands usually lead to hours
of unrelenting physical and mental stress. This is counter-productive.
The human brain needs a break every two hours and the body needs a break
every hour. Just five minutes will do the trick. So instead of asking
where your employees are when they are missing from their desks,
congratulate them for taking a break.
9. Give them a massage.
The folks at Mayo Clinic say that massage
reduces anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and muscle tension. Your team
will function better if they receive a regular massage, but you probably
don't pay them enough.
There are lots of new massage therapists out
there who would jump at the chance to promote their business by dropping
by your office to offer 10 minute chair massages. Be nice, tip them
well.
10.Pretty up the place with plants.
A study at Kansas State University says non-flowering plants
are proven to reduce blood pressure levels. Introduce a few
low-maintenance plants to your environment; not only are they pretty but
they will help to keep your team healthy.
In short, your employees are your number one asset, so help them to live a long, healthy life!
www.inc.com
