Wellness Initiatives to Promote Stress Management

Employees may not know it, but stress is a leading contributor to many health problems. Lowering stress can reduce the risk of medical conditions and help individuals feel better on a daily basis. You can play an important role in reducing employee stress.

Activities and Programmes

·    Monthly chair massage. On-site professional massages allow employees to reduce their stress without even leaving work. These can be offered in 10- or 15-minute blocks, allowing employees to return to their jobs refreshed and renewed.

·    Exercise class. Exercise is a great way to relieve and even prevent stress. Offer a variety of class times (before and after work, during lunch, etc.) as well as various types of classes – from relaxing yoga to stress-busting kickboxing.

·    Stress management class. Provide employees with the education and tools to manage time and tasks, to cope with daily stressors and to prevent stress from damaging their health.

·    Comedy day. You can’t worry and laugh at the same time! Bring in a stand-up comedian, show old black-and-white comedies and/or hold a contest for funniest home videos and funniest jokes.

·    Meditation room. Provide a designated space where employees can sit quietly and use meditation or prayer to defuse their stress.

·    Recognition. Celebrating workplace successes can raise employees’ morale and allow them to put their challenges in perspective. Make sure to recognise employees who have completed important projects, taken on a new challenge or had notable accomplishments.

Incentives

·    Print your company logo or a funny joke on stress-relieving squeeze balls. These are very popular toys for releasing tension and can serve as inexpensive prizes for contest winners or activity participants.

·    Give away a free massage. Local massage professionals may want to contribute a free massage as part of an incentive or prize because it allows them to advertise their services.

·    Spa day. This may involve a facial, massage, hair and nails or other combination of beauty and wellness offerings. A day at the spa is a relaxing way to rejuvenate your spirit and appearance. Ask local spas to contribute a coupon or discount.

·    Paid holiday. This surprisingly inexpensive option can give hard-working employees a free day to just relax or take care of responsibilities at home or appointments that have been put off.

·    Gym membership. Persuade your employees to participate in programmes and activities by offering a free or discounted gym membership. Regular exercise will reduce stress levels, and helping with the cost will encourage many employees to utilise this benefit.

·    Audio book on breathing exercises. Voice-guided practise in breathing exercises allows employees to relax, slow their heart rate, rid their minds of stressors and learn a simple technique to manage stress that will last them a lifetime.