Stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t need to be a daily occurrence in the workplace! To produce great work, team members need to feel supported, rejuvenated, and level-headed. That’s why April’s observance of Stress Awareness Month is SO important!
With April only a couple days away, now is the time to think about how you can be intentional about de-stressing your work environment. Sometimes, the smallest actions can have the most profound outcomes. So, breath in 7 seconds, breath out 11, and read on to learn more.
How to Participate in Stress Awareness Month
- Foster Creativity
- Encourage Thoughtfulness
- Get Active
- Give the Gift of Zen
- Promote a Culture of Openness
Our Recommendation: Health and Wellness Gifts
Foster Creativity: According to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, focusing on a creative task can help you achieve a state of “flow.” In other words, creativity uses imagination, which is a productive and constructive use of your mind. It helps us feel our best and perform our best. There are many ways to encourage creativity in the workplace. Here are some of our favorites:
- Stress less coloring sessions: This one is super easy! Set out some colored pencils, some coloring pages, and invite your team to draw during their lunch breaks.
2. Team painting/decorating contests: A little more involved (but even more fun), set up a competition – like decorating a pumpkin, sign, or easter decoration – and divide your company into teams. Give each team 20 minutes to decorate and then let voting begin!
3. Company-wide art projects: For this project, have each team member create something small (like paint a tiny canvas), and put them all together into one big, beautiful masterpiece!
Encourage Thoughtfulness: In the hustle and bustle of corporate America, it can be difficult to find time for thoughtfulness. According to MayoClinic, spending even a few minutes in meditation can help restore calm and inner peace when stressed. Here are some ways to create moments of calm for your employees:
- Meditation Sessions: At Baudville, we love meditation sessions! We recommend hiring a meditation instructor for the day. Host 10-minute group sessions throughout the day in a dark and cozy conference room and invite your employees to sign up as a mid-day break.
- Daily Stretching: A small thing we do every day at Baudville is a five minute stretching session in the afternoon. It’s optional, so anyone can go on any day, and we have a member of our wellness squad instruct attendees. The short session gives employees the change to move their bodies and relax their minds.
- Breathing Techniques: Provide your team with information on different breathing techniques that they can do at their desks! This is an easy way to help your employees deal with daily stressors and anxiety. Here’s some info to get you started!
Get active: Spring is officially here! The sun is out, the grass is getting greener, and the birds are chirping. It’s literally the perfect time to get out, get moving, and pump up your endorphins. Not only does exercise help your physical well-being, but it also has a direct connection with stress management – learn more here! Here’s a few ideas for getting your team up and moving:
- Host daily walks at noon and invite team members to get a few streps in during their lunch breaks
- Sign up for a 5k! Incentivize your team to sign up with a gift card or some extra PTO.
- Put together a casual rec tournament. Whether it’s basketball in the parking lot or kickball in the nearby field, it’s a fun competition that encourages wellness.
Give the Gift of Zen: According to Zippia, “37% of employees report that the best way to improve their engagement is for their superiors to give them recognition.” One way to boost that recognition feeling is by giving gifts of gratitude. When employees feel validated and appreciated, they are more engaged and are less likely to feel burnt out. Here are some of our “office zen” favorites!
Promote a Culture of Openness: This one may seem self-explanatory, but it can also be easily forgotten. At the end of the day, communication is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy and happy team. Whether you are hosting weekly 1-on-1s or promoting office hours, there needs to be a way for your team members to reach you with their concerns and talk to you about their stress levels. An easy and effective way to open up this communication is to ask your team members where they are on the Mood Elevator. If they are low, work with them to find ways to climb the ladder. To learn more about the Mood Elevator technique, click here.
So there you have it: Five ways to distress your workplace! Have more tips or tricks? Leave them in the comment section below!
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