How To Prevent Work Stress In Companies: 6 Effective Strategies
Stress is an increasingly common state in society, especially within large cities. It is an alteration of the organism, where we are overwhelmed by the demands of the environment. When this is due to work, we talk about work stress.
In this article we will learn what this alteration consists of, and we will talk about how to prevent work stress in companies To do this, we will offer 6 proposals that companies can apply to prevent stress among their workers.
Stress is a psychophysiological state of the organism, which appears when the demands of the environment exceed the resources we have available. The term “anxiety” is sometimes used to refer to how we feel in highly stressful moments.
Stress can appear in different areas of life, be it the personal, social, work sphere… When it manifests itself in the workplace (that is, when it appears as a consequence of work), we speak of “work stress”. It is known that up to 59% of Spanish workers suffer from work stress which has a negative impact on the person’s health, but also on their productivity, quality of life, etc.
Work stress is due to multiple factors: long hours of work, high demands from the company, few hours of sleep, having a self-demanding personality, not meeting objectives, accumulated fatigue, etc.
When this stress is very high and appears along with other symptoms, then we speak of “burnout” or “burnout syndrome.” In fact, this syndrome has been recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) as an official syndrome.
Its characteristic symptom is professional burnout, which translates into physical and emotional exhaustion. But we are talking about more extreme cases than simple work stress; That is why it is important to prevent the latter, to prevent it from leading to burnout syndrome.
How to prevent work stress in companies
But, How to prevent work stress in companies? Is this possible?
In this article we will offer some proposals to prevent it, aimed at being applied by companies themselves.
1. Campaigns that promote sport
The first proposal that we propose on how to prevent work stress in companies, and which may be a good idea, is that companies offer their workers campaigns or programs aimed at promoting sports among their employees These may consist of planning certain sports activities throughout the year (for example once a week). The activities can be: yoga, cycling, basketball, soccer… There is a wide variety of sports to choose from.
These activities should ideally be group activities, and involve the maximum number of workers possible. Based on them, the aim is for workers to acquire healthy living habits through sports; In turn, sport is a good tool to prevent and combat work stress, as it helps release tension and secrete endorphins.
In addition, these types of activities can also be a good option to strengthen the bond between workers, enhance social relationships and promote a good work environment.
2. Daily fruit in the office
This second proposal, also related to the previous one, offers us another perspective on how to prevent work stress in companies. It is aimed, like the previous one, at promoting healthy habits among workers Thus, food is another key piece to obtain this lifestyle.
Healthy lifestyles help prevent work stress, whether inside or outside of work. In addition, it is known that diet greatly influences mood and energy. The initiative of providing free fruit to workers, although it may seem like a small gesture, can encourage other healthy behaviors in them.
3. Mindfulness Sessions
Mindfulness is, in turn, a philosophy of life, a healthy practice and a type of therapy. It consists of the practice of meditation, a state reached through concentration; Meditation allows you to “leave your mind blank” and reach a feeling of peace and fullness, through breathing and relaxation exercises. Thus, mindfulness is a very good tool to prevent stress.
The idea of proposing a mindfulness program within companies can also be a good option on how to prevent work stress in companies. This program can consist of a weekly mindfulness session in a space within the company, or outside of it (in an open space). These details will depend on the preferences and availability of resources of each one.
4. Massage sessions
This proposal, like some of the previous ones, is already being implemented by many companies, since it is considered innovative and healthy. Through her, A service of masseuses and/or physiotherapists is hired to come to the office itself to perform a short-term massage on the workers (for example, between 15 minutes and 30 minutes). These sessions can be spaced out (for example once a week, once a month…), always depending on each company.
The type of massage is usually the neck and head, but it can also cover other areas (although in the office the most feasible is the neck and head). These massages can produce a state of relaxation in the worker, even if it is short-lived. Feeling good and comfortable in the office helps prevent incipient feelings of stress or anxiety. In addition, this practice would allow you to “break” with the routine even if it is for a short time.
Another proposal we make on how to prevent work stress in companies has to do with relaxation techniques. Companies can schedule training for workers that explain different relaxation techniques; The ideal is that these can be applied within the office, at a time of certain wear or stress, or simply from time to time.
There are exercises that can be done in the same office chair , or elsewhere depending on the type of work; These can be breathing exercises and/or meditation. They can last a few minutes and be applied when necessary. In addition, they will allow you to maintain an adequate pace at work, productive, but at the same time relaxed.
6. Ergonomics training
The last proposal we propose on how to prevent work stress in companies is ergonomics training , a discipline within occupational risks. Although occupational risk training is mandatory for workers in all companies, sometimes it is not taken enough into account.
In addition, it is a good option to teach special ergonomics sessions, this specific discipline, which teaches us how to sit correctly to avoid injuries or contractures, how to work, what temperature is appropriate inside the office, what environmental conditions are the most suitable, etc
Adequate working conditions, at an environmental level, as well as correct knowledge of how to work, will allow the worker to be at ease (preventing work stress), comfortable, not get hurt and be as productive as possible.
