Working can be both satisfying and stressful. It’s normal to experience burn-out, boredom, and frustration at some point in your career. This doesn’t mean that it work should become a source of dread; it isn’t healthy to detest your job or to hate the thought of getting up in the morning. Most workplace stress can be properly managed if taken on with a positive attitude and an array of knowledge.
How Employers Can Reduce Their Employees’ Stress
Employers can also benefit from making sure their employees are content in the workplace. Human Resources specialists have compiled significant amounts of data on stress in the workplace. Most people would agree that a happy, healthy employee produces higher quality work.
There are a number of simple methods employers can use to foster a positive mood in workers. One very straightforward way to encourage good mental health in employees is to enroll them in stress management courses (not at their expense, of course). Choosing this course of action ensures that employees are learning the best techniques directly from a credible source. It also allows the employees the freedom to decide which methods work best for them.
Another means of increasing worker satisfaction and productivity is by having the employees trained regularly. Every six months or so (depending on the profession), workers need to be re-educated. This allows them to stay sharp and confident in their abilities. It also gives the company a competitive edge.
Some common work-related stressors for employed persons are:
-long commutes
-lack of family time
-lack of free time
-inadequate insurance policies
-unpleasant work environment (poorly decorated, noisy, chilly)
It is important that employers take the time to ask about their employees’ concerns via surveys or interviews with someone trained in Human Resources or Industrial Psychology. It doesn’t profit anyone if the employer assumes he or she knows what the workers want. Doing so could lead to unnecessary investment in irrelevant issues.
How Workers Can Reduce Their Own Stress
Employees may also need to take the initiative if they feel themselves slipping into bad work habits due to boredom or stress. One way workers can adopt a positive attitude is by listening to energetic music before work. Employees can try playing a favorite album on the way to their job or listening to a pleasant morning show while getting ready to leave the house.
It is also recommended that people do not talk about work during downtime. A relaxing lunch break or vacation shouldn’t be filled with anxious thoughts about an unfinished project or an upcoming deadline. Free time is important to everyone’s mental well-being and should be regularly incorporated into a daily schedule.
When Work Is Still Too Much
In most situations, it’s probably best that employees do what they can to make work a somewhat enjoyable experience. If you find that despite your best efforts, your career has taken over your life, hurt your relationships, or turned you into a miserable person, you may want to re-consider your profession.
