How can you encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress?
Stress is a common and often unavoidable challenge in the workplace, especially in times of uncertainty, change, or high demand. However, too much stress can harm your employees' health, well-being, productivity, and morale. As a leader, you can play a key role in creating a positive and supportive organizational culture that encourages employees to take breaks and manage stress effectively. Here are some tips on how to do that.
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Janice HuttonCorporate Wellbeing | Fitness, Nutrition & Mindset Expert | Amazon Bestselling Author
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Faith Drew, Ph.D, LMFT, CEAPCo-owner & Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist of Connect Couples Therapy, PLLC. Speaker and Consultant in Gottman…
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Andrew R. MilliotLicensed Massage Therapist at Intuitive Hands of New England CT
One of the best ways to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to model healthy behaviors yourself. Show your employees that you value your own well-being and balance by taking regular breaks, avoiding overwork, delegating tasks, prioritizing self-care, and seeking help when needed. By doing so, you can reduce the stigma around stress and foster a culture of trust, respect, and compassion.
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Role modelling healthy behaviours from key leaders in a company can help employees feel that they have the 'permission' to prioritise their own wellbeing. Reducing meetings from 30 minutes to 25 minutes or from 60 minutes to 50 minutes to allow for a wellbeing break can help show the importance of taking regular breaks during the day.
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Encouraging people to maintain a work-life balance. I strongly discourage my team to look at emails outside of work time or on annual leave, and I try to follow my own advice to set a good example. I start team meetings with a check-in to encourage people to share how they are feeling and create a culture of openness and support.
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I often tell try to maintain a work-life balance by having a strong morning and evening routine. My morning routine allows me to prepare for the day ahead while giving myself the time to be present in my own personal activities, such as exercising or reading a book. My evening routine typically happens as my workday ends. This is a time for me to set myself up for success for the next day. Overall, routines help me allocate specific blocks of time for work, personal activities, relaxation, and family. This ensures that you have dedicated time for both work-related tasks and personal activities, making it easier to balance the two.
Another way to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to communicate clearly and frequently with them. Provide them with clear expectations, goals, feedback, and recognition. Keep them informed of any changes, challenges, or opportunities that may affect their work. Listen to their concerns, suggestions, and feedback. By communicating effectively, you can reduce uncertainty, confusion, and frustration among your employees and increase their engagement, motivation, and satisfaction.
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Communication is essential for any successful workplace. It fosters trust, aligns teams with goals, and empowers individuals. Regular feedback and open channels resolve conflicts seamlessly and ensure smooth transitions during changes. I often nurture a culture of clear communication to amplify engagement, boost morale, and enhance productivity.
A third way to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to offer them flexibility and autonomy in their work. Allow them to choose when, where, and how they work, as long as they meet their objectives and deadlines. Give them some control over their tasks, schedules, and resources. Encourage them to take breaks throughout the day, especially if they work remotely or have demanding or monotonous tasks. By offering flexibility and autonomy, you can enhance your employees' sense of ownership, creativity, and empowerment.
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We regularly talk about "playing the long game" and to do that we need to build a working schedule that is sustainable. However, each person's schedule and demands on their time and energy is unique to them. We offer flexibility and autonomy to our team so they can design their own schedule - because they know best what will help them succeed. We want our employees to be their best selves for their families and for the workplace.
A fourth way to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to provide them with support and resources. Create a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can share their challenges, successes, and ideas. Provide them with access to training, coaching, mentoring, or counseling services that can help them develop their skills, confidence, and resilience. Promote wellness programs, activities, or benefits that can help them cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, exercise, or massage. By providing support and resources, you can boost your employees' well-being, performance, and retention.
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Providing In-Office Chair Massage is definitely a great way to go here. It should be viewed not as merely a perk or reward, but as an investment in employee health and well-being that pays off in increased morale, loyalty, and productivity. Find a therapist who can work with you to set up a mutually beneficial pricing plan that provides massage on a regular basis whether it's weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on your needs and budget.
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I often hear that people don’t have the time to attend counselling or don’t feel able to approach a counsellor. Employers can provide a variety of tools to enable people to access support that is relevant to them. Many organisations I work with have found that when their employees have access to a library of self- hypnosis therapy, which they can access in their own time to address their particular issue, people are better able to manage stress and are more motivated and productive.
A fifth way to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to celebrate and appreciate their achievements, efforts, and contributions. Recognize and reward your employees for their work, both individually and as a team. Celebrate their milestones, successes, and learnings. Express your gratitude and appreciation for their work and for them as people. By celebrating and appreciating your employees, you can increase their morale, loyalty, and pride.
A sixth way to encourage employees to take breaks and manage stress is to ask and listen to their needs, preferences, and feedback. Ask your employees how they are feeling, what they need, and what they want. Listen to their opinions, concerns, and suggestions. Involve them in decision-making and problem-solving processes. Solicit their feedback on your leadership, communication, and support. By asking and listening to your employees, you can show them that you care, respect, and value them.
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