Wellbeing in the workplace is more than just a trend: it is a necessity to ensure both employee health and company productivity. According to a World Health Organization report, work stress costs the global economy approximately $1 trillion a year in lost productivity. Furthermore, a study conducted by Gallup revealed that highly engaged and mentally healthy workers are 17% more productive and have 41% lower absenteeism rates than their less engaged colleagues. In a world where work stress is increasingly common, with 23% of workers reporting often or always feelings of burnout at work (According to a survey by Deloitte), it is essential to develop effective strategies to maintain a healthy and motivating work environment . In this article, we will explore different techniques and approaches to improve well-being in the workplace.
Identifying Work Stress
Stress in the Workplace
The first step to address the problem of work stress is to recognize the signs. Symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty concentrating, chronic fatigue, or even irritability can be indicators of stress. It is important that both workers and managers are able to identify these signals in order to intervene promptly.
Common Causes
The causes of work stress can range from excessive workloads to difficult interpersonal dynamics, to a lack of recognition or work-life balance. Identifying the specific causes of stress within your organization is a critical step in developing targeted stress management strategies.
Listening and intervention
It is important not to underestimate the signals that our body gives us to intercept stress so that we do not fall into a real burnout syndrome, that condition of total exhaustion of one's physical and mental energies, a psychological syndrome that emerges from situations in which a prolonged and continuous response to stress-causing elements in the workplace resulting from contact with other demanding and/or suffering people is required .
Stress Management Strategies
Personal Techniques
We introduce some personal strategies for managing stress. Mindfulness, for example, can help you stay calm and focused. Breathing exercises, yoga or regular physical activity can also significantly help reduce stress levels. Learn more about the benefits of mindfulness in the article " Mindfulness in the Workplace: Benefits for Employee Wellbeing" .
Work place
It is also important to examine and improve the working environment. This can include regulating lighting and noise, creating spaces for breaks, and encouraging a work culture that promotes regular breaks and moments of relaxation.
Relationship with manager
A good relationship with our supervisor can create a positive work environment, in which we feel supported, valued and motivated. On the contrary, a negative relationship with the boss can generate stress, dissatisfaction and discomfort at work. This is why their role is so influential and delicate for the health of their collaborators. Without healthy leadership there can be no culture of well-being. Managers' behaviors can in fact cause stress, depression and low self-esteem in collaborators.
The Key Role of Workers in Corporate Wellbeing
Individual responsibility
Employees have a responsibility to look after their own well-being. This includes establishing healthy boundaries between work and home life, openly communicating your needs and challenges, and seeking support when needed.
Contribution to Corporate Culture
Every worker contributes to the company culture. Creating a positive work environment, where mutual support and collaboration are encouraged, can make a big difference in promoting collective well-being.
Mutual support
To create a healthy context it is important that there is mutual support between people. Inside the book "Wellbeing Revolution" , written by Alberto Ronco, CEO of Trainect, and Eleonora Valè, Trainect's work psychologist, the interesting case of Unilever is told, where Mental Health was identified, following voluntary participation. Champion, promoters of psychological well-being in the company.
The Advantage of Involving HR in Improving Wellbeing
Proactive HR policies
Human resources play a crucial role in promoting corporate well-being. Implementing wellness-focused HR policies, such as flexible working hours, mental health support and wellness programs, can have a significant positive impact.
Feedback and Continuous Evaluation
It is critical that the HR department maintains an open dialogue with employees to evaluate the effectiveness of wellness policies and to make changes based on the feedback received.
By incorporating these strategies and approaches, companies can not only improve the well-being of their employees but also increase productivity and job satisfaction.
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