Reduce stress at work: 6 key tips for a healthier workplace

Oct. 9, 2024 - 6 min read

Do you often experience work stress? Then you are not alone! Stress at work is common in our modern society. Meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations and being constantly available can have a major impact on your physical condition and mental health. Fortunately, there are many ways you can reduce stress at work. In this article, we provide practical tips to create a healthier, stress-free work environment for tomorrow.

What is work stress?

Work stress occurs when the demands of your job exceed your abilities or resources. This can lead to feeling exhausted or overwhelmed or just very anxious. It is important to recognize that you are experiencing stress and want to take proactive steps to reduce it.

Why is stress reduction important?

Stress can be very damaging to both your physical and mental health. Prolonged stress can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and depression. In addition, it can also drastically reduce your productivity and drain work after a long period of time. By effectively managing stress, you are able to greatly improve not only your health, but also your work performance and general well-being.

Tips to reduce stress at work

1. Use your time wisely

Work stress is a common result of poor time management. Here are some tips to better manage your time:

Make a priority list: Start with a list of things you want to do before your day is over. What is the importance and urgency of these things?
Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals. This will prevent you from getting carried away by an unachievable workload.
Use time management tools: Time management apps and tools such as Trello and Asana are a great way to keep your day well organized.

2. Provide a healthy workplace.

A healthy workplace can have a big impact on your stress levels. Here are some tips to make your workplace healthier:

Ergonomic workplace: Make sure your workplace is ergonomically designed to minimize physical strain. A good chair, proper monitor adjustment (height and depth) and a comfortable working posture can make a big difference.
Plants and natural elements: Plants can reduce stress and improve the air quality of your workspace. Try adding some oxygen plants to your workspace and feel the difference.
Personal space: Create a personal and tidy environment for yourself at work. This can help create a sense of control and well-being. Read here more about a clean-desk policy!

3. Set boundaries

It is crucial to set clear boundaries between work and personal life:

Respect work hours: Try to stick to your work hours and avoid overtime. This will help you have enough time for relaxation and personal activities.
Saying No: Learn to say no to extra tasks when you already have a full schedule. This prevents overload.
Limit accessibility: Outside of work hours, try not to be constantly available for work-related matters. This will help you really relax and recharge.

4. Seek social support

Social support can provide a buffer against stress:

Talk to colleagues: Share your experiences and concerns with colleagues. This can help relieve stress and find solutions.
Seek mentorship: Working with a mentor can advance your career and therefore reduce stress.
Team building activities: Team building activities often create a there a better bond between employees and this improves understanding of each other and ultimately a reduction in stress.

5. Take regular breaks

Regular breaks are essential to maintain your energy level and concentration:

Micro breaks: Take short breaks of 5-10 minutes every hour. This will help you stay mentally fresh.
Lunch break: Make sure you take a full lunch break away from your workplace. This gives you a chance to really relax.
Exercise: Try to get some light exercise during your breaks, such as a short walk. This will help relieve tension and make you feel more energetic.

6. Use WORK & MOVE Coach

WORK & MOVE Coach is an innovative tool specifically designed to help employees improve their work and exercise routine. This software offers several benefits:

Smart Pit Stops and Exercise Reminders: The WORK & MOVE Coach provides notifications to take mental and physical breaks, including practical tips for short exercises. This helps maintain high energy levels and concentration.
Customized personal coaching: The software is designed to adapt to the user’s work style and physical needs, making ergonomic advice much more personal and relevant to you. This ensures better work behavior and posture and less risk of complaints and/or stress.
Analytics-driven insights: WORK & MOVE Analytics gives the user a comprehensive overview of his/her work behavior and or work attitude. This gives you great insight into areas where you (or members of your team) can improve before complaints and/or stress arise.
Privacy and GDPR compliance: The software is fully GDPR-proof and thus also complies with all guidelines to ensure that the privacy of WORK & MOVE users is safeguarded.

By using WORK & MOVE Coach in your daily activities you can not only face an improvement in your productivity and complaint prevention or reduction, but a proper work attitude and matching behavior also makes a positive contribution in reducing stress levels.

Benefits of less stress at work

Improved health: If you manage to lower your stress levels, you are less likely to have stress-related illnesses or health problems such as heart problems and high blood pressure.
Higher productivity: Employees who experience less stress tend to be healthier and have a more efficient and productive workday.
Better work-life balance: Less stress helps you achieve a better work-life balance.
Increased job satisfaction: If you can work in a stress-free environment and set it up that way for yourself, you are more likely to have a more enjoyable and satisfying workplace.

Conclusion

Reducing stress can play a crucial role for you and/or your team to work in a healthier, more productive, more efficient and, most importantly, more enjoyable way. You can achieve this through effective time management, healthy workplace design, being able to set clear boundaries, social support where needed, taking regular breaks (including using tools such as WORK & MOVE Coach). Remember, it’s a process that requires time and consistency, but the benefits are worth it. Invest in yourself and your work happiness by putting these tips into practice and enjoy a healthier and happier work life.

With these practical tips, we think you’re ready to tackle your stress levels at work and live a more balanced and fulfilling work life. Good luck!

Make your organization healthier

Get physically and mentally fitter employees and reduce absenteeism. That’s what WORK & MOVE Coach can do for your organization. Try it for free today!

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Reduce stress at work: 6 key tips for a healthier workplace

Oct. 9, 2024 - 6 min read

What will you read in this blog?

What is work stress?

Why is stress reduction important?

Tips to reduce stress at work

1. Use your time wisely

2. Provide a healthy workplace.

3. Set boundaries

4. Seek social support

5. Take regular breaks

6. Use WORK & MOVE Coach

Benefits of less stress at work

Conclusion

Make your organization healthier

You may also find this interesting

What is a micropause? And why can't you do without them?

10 essential tips for healthy office work

Exercise in the office: 10 smart tips for an active working day!

Contact information

Products

Menu

© BakerElkhuizen 2024

General conditions

Privacy Statement

Cookie Policy

Reduce stress at work: 6 key tips for a healthier workplace

Oct. 9, 2024 - 6 min read

What will you read in this blog?​

What is work stress?

Why is stress reduction important?

Tips to reduce stress at work

1. Use your time wisely

2. Provide a healthy workplace.

3. Set boundaries

4. Seek social support

5. Take regular breaks

6. Use WORK & MOVE Coach

Benefits of less stress at work

Conclusion

Make your organization healthier

You may also find this interesting

What is a micropause? And why can't you do without them?

10 essential tips for healthy office work

Exercise in the office: 10 smart tips for an active working day!

Contact information

Products

Menu

© BakerElkhuizen 2024

General conditions

Privacy Statement

Cookie Policy

What will you read in this blog?