Many employees work around the clock to manage an unrealistic workload and meet strict deadlines. No matter how good they are at what they do or how much they love it, they are bound to experience stress.
Handling stress in the workplace is necessary for preventing burnout. This goal can be easily achieved by implementing proper stress management techniques in the workplace.
Today, we will examine the effects of stress on health while delving deeper into occupational therapy stress management techniques for managing work-related anxiety.
Overlooking Work-induced Stress
The American Institute of Stress reports that 80% of people experience work-related anxiety.
Nearly half of them:
- Don’t know how to manage this anxiety
- They can benefit from learning solutions to handle stress in the workplace.
Ignoring this stress can:
- Cost businesses billions of dollars in expenses
- Have devastating impacts on a worker’s mental and physical health
The Health Effects of Work-related Stress
Some of the health effects of stress that are manageable with early intervention at work include:
- Obesity
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Procrastination
- Disorganization
- Racing thoughts
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty focusing
- Heart palpitations
- Constant worrying
- Digestive problems
- Low energy and fatigue
Occupational Therapy Stress Management Techniques
Occupational therapy has some of the most effective stress management techniques. Handling stress in the workplace with this approach allows employees to keep their emotions in check.
Techniques recommended for each employee differ based on their unique situations.
In this process, occupational therapists:
- Assess the individual’s lifestyle and mental state
- Identify workplace factors that trigger anxiety
- Suggest the best techniques to address them
Here are the standard techniques occupational therapy employs for handling stress in the workplace.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques are practical tools for handling stress in the workplace.
According to studies, these techniques can:
- Help individuals cope with stress
- Increase job satisfaction
To improve mental clarity, dedicate a short time daily to engage in mindfulness practices such as:
- Meditation
- Body scanning
Deep Breathing Exercises
One of the most effective occupational therapy stress management techniques is deep breathing.
Focusing your attention on your breaths can:
- Calm your mind
- Slow down your racing heart
- Help you feel less overwhelmed
To practice this technique:
- Inhale a deep breath through the nose
- Hold it for a few seconds
- Exhale through the mouth.
Do this several times until you feel calm and more focused.
Decluttering the Workspace
Another way to handle workplace stress is by tidying up your desk.
You can set up an organized space by:
- Remove unnecessary objects
- Keeping the ones you use most close by
- Investing in organizers
These strategies will keep your workspace decluttered and your mind stress-free.
Healthy Eating
Reducing stress does not just rely on your work environment. It also depends on the internal state of your body and what you eat to get the energy you need.
Selecting the proper lunch is a key yet often ignored stress management technique in the workplace.
Consuming unhealthy foods rich in saturated fats may heighten your vulnerability to chronic stress. Opt for healthier options when handling stress in the workplace.
Breaks and Movements
Among the effective occupational therapy stress management techniques are taking frequent breaks and moving your body, especially if your job involves sitting down all day.
Mental strain is one of the effects of prolonged sitting. You will only exacerbate these effects if you work too long without breaks.
Try to:
- Take a 5-10 minute break every hour
- Move your body
- Perform light exercises and even participate in workplace stretching programs.
Keeping the blood flowing through your body will help clear any brain fog and calm your mind.
Time Management
Another way to handle workplace stress is to manage your time more effectively. A lot of the stress at work comes from completing task-sensitive tasks.
Reduce anxiety by prioritizing your assignments according to their importance. Use productivity tools like the Eisenhower Matrix technique.
Follow these steps:
- Create a list of your tasks
- Move the urgent ones to the top
- Eliminate the ones you don’t need to complete that day
Open Communication and Request for Support
Open communication is the last tool on our list of stress management techniques in the workplace.
Sometimes, handling stress in the workplace cannot be done alone. You need to:
- Communicate with your colleagues and supervisors
- Discuss the challenges you’re facing and ask for support
- Ask for fewer assignments or extended deadlines if your workload is too much
Remember, it’s never a sign of weakness to ask for support. Instead, it’s a necessary step to managing daily work stress.
How Can Employers Reduce Workplace Stress?
Employers have a crucial role in implementing occupational therapy stress management techniques. They can reduce employee stress and bring total worker health home through the following ways.
Creating Employee Wellness Programs
Employees handling stress in the workplace can benefit from well-planned wellness programs. Employers can create employee health and wellness programs with the help of expert professionals.
These wellness programs will consider a worker’s entire health and help them manage stress through scientific methods.
Offer More Flexibility
Employers may choose to provide flexible hours as one of the stress management techniques in the workplace, depending on the job requirements.
Many employees need help to keep up with the restrictive 9-5 work schedule. They may be night owls or early risers who are more productive at other hours. Offering a flexible schedule can reduce their stress and improve their work-life balance.
Reduce Work Stress With BIOKINETIX
Handling stress in the workplace becomes manageable with the proper resources. Do you need help determining which occupational therapy stress management techniques work best for your staff? BIOKINETIX can help.
We tailor our occupational medical services and personal programs to the needs of your employees to address stressors in their work environment.
Schedule a no-cost analysis today to learn more about our strategic services and start implementing effective stress management techniques in the workplace.
