STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE STRESS-MANAGEMENT

Are numerous job tasks and responsibilities drowning you in stress and worry? Chronic stress can lead to anxiety or depression with inadequate coping skills. Unexpected stressors are inevitable, yet how we handle circumstances makes all the difference. Keeping a positive attitude empowers people to take-on daily challenges with a new and refreshed mindset, welcoming change and opportunities.

10 STRESS-REDUCING TIPS!

1. Create Healthy Habits: Introduce activities that embrace relaxation, like walking in the park, smelling the ocean breeze, sipping a cup of tea, lighting candles, and introducing aromatherapy. You decide how often to do these activities and the times that are most beneficial. 

2. Stop Worrying: Put a stop to negative thoughts. This doesn’t mean your thoughts and concerns are not valid, but we can choose what thoughts to embrace and those to release. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of The Stress Reduction Clinic in the University of Massachusetts, shares clinical studies and advice on powerful ways of handling stress. Dr. Kabat-Zinn gives an insightful metaphor in his book, Mindfulness for Beginners, stating that thoughts are like bubbles. He goes on to say how thoughts are just thoughts that arise and go. Many times we make thoughts to be “the reality” and make decisions based on these thoughts. The idea is to not entertain negative thoughts as the ultimate truth, but rather to see them as mere thoughts. 

3. Decrease Caffeine Intake: Aside from sodas and coffee, there are other products that are also caffeinated. Here are some examples of foods containing caffeine: dark chocolate, caffeine flavored ice cream, some gums, energy drinks, and certain teas. WebMd outlines highly caffeinated foods in their article, Caffeine Shockers: Products Surprisingly High in Caffeine.

4. Practice Relaxation Techniques:  Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, stretching, breathing techniques, and tai chi are great ways to decrease stress and anxiety. WebMd has a great article titled, 10 Relaxation Techniques that Zap Stress Fast, that provides tips on ways to relax and reduce stress.  

5. Get Motivated: We can all use a positive perk during stressful situations or challenging times. Some ways to motivate yourself include: Printing a list of motivational quotes, listening to inspirational speakers, and reading self-help books. The key is to feel uplifted and inspired after listening or reading some of these materials.

6. Laugh a Little: The power of laughter is priceless! Think of something that brings you joy. Perhaps it’s a funny movie, a comedy show, or a speaker who brightens your day. Laughter is the Best Medicine, is a great resource article which outlines the health benefits of laughter. Next time stress levels rise, take a moment to think of something funny or joyful. A simple laugh can brighten your day.

7. Monitor Your Nutrition: During stressful times everything else seems more important than healthy food choices. This is not the case for everyone, but it is a common response when faced with many stressors. Keeping watch on your nutrition and health is crucial during stress, with decrease immune response making individuals more susceptible to illness. Incorporate small frequent meals that are rich in vitamin C, zinc, calcium, and protein. These ingredients help boost your immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and promote bone health. Carrying to-go snacks such as bananas, granola, peanuts, apples, and cereal, are great ways to preserve your energy, prevent fatigue, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. 

8. Create a Schedule: Planning and scheduling activities helps with organizational skills and decreases stress. Try using calendars, planners, electronic scheduling devices, and alert systems. There are numerous tools that can be downloaded on electronic devices to help manage your busy schedule.

9.  Make a Priority to Sleep: High demands and responsibilities keep us busy doing things, thinking ahead, and planning. More often than not, sleep is not a priority until the point of mental or physical exhaustion, or both. This creates a cycle of energy depletion that contributes to even more stress. Plan activities that require less mental and physical energy in the evening and promote relaxation like reading, meditation, and knitting.

10. Do Something Fun: Make time to do something you enjoy each week. This can be a hobby, activity, event, or experience. The idea is to disconnect from daily stressors, while having something to look forward to each week

LEADERSHIP TIPS TO MAINTAIN ENGAGEMENT & EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION

Company figures are steadily rising with customer satisfaction at its prime. Your team of employees is comprised of the most qualified and diligent personnel in the field. Inspiring and acknowledging skilled workers is key for employee achievement and retention. Hiring competent workers is the start for business success, yet keeping a strong team of qualified employees requires sharp leadership skills and efforts.

TIPS FOR LEADERS TO PROMOTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & MOTIVATION

1. Trust your employee’s creativity, skills, and work potential.

Leaders can welcome such skills by allowing flexibility and employee input in the workplace. Some examples include independent projects, input in company meetings, and allocating individual & team assignments.

2. Make tasks enjoyable.

Motivating employees in conducting tedious tasks can be challenging, but effective leaders can turn around mundane assignments into meaningful work. A leader’s attitude can shift employee perspective, and encourage a positive attitude in accomplishing daily tasks. 

3. Recognize employee diligence and work efforts.

Employee recognition programs and certifications are great ways of highlighting accomplishments and work performance. Other examples include verbal or written affirmations acknowledging the individual’s achievements and contributions to the company.

4. Provide an ethical work environment.

In today’s society most of our waking hours is occupied with work-related activities. Individuals in managerial positions can establish an ethical and respectful work setting for staff members. Leaders should also be prompt in addressing employee complaints and related issues concerning the work place. 

5. Allow for professional growth and job promotions.

The ability to advance in the corporate ladder is a great motivator for focused and dedicated employees. Assisting employees in goal setting stimulates work performance, encouraging achievements and professional growth.

6. Connect with employees throughout the year.

Holiday parties, events, company dinners, award ceremonies, and other special events are ways of associating with employees outside the work environment. Placing value in such events conveys a message of work cohesiveness, and invested leaders who care to connect with their employees.

7. Provide company incentives.

Incentives such as PTO, continuing education, bonuses, gift cards, holidays & sick days, annual review, employee-recognition programs, and employee raffles are company strategies that inspire employee motivation and longevity.

8. Be fair and compensate accordingly.

Companies can motivate workers by recompensing work-related necessities. For instance, if an employee is responsible for frequent presentations and work meetings, in addition to hourly pay the company can provide supplies needed and compensate for commute time. Work-related necessities vary depending on the line of business. Some examples include electronic devices, uniforms, special equipment, travel expenses, and others.

LEADERSHIP TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Successful communication requires effort and understanding in part of the management team. Leaders can influence staff members by cultivating work settings that embrace constructive feedback and employee engagement. When messages are shared respectfully positive outcomes are likely to follow. Good communication also fosters staff collaboration, professional growth, and business success. Read below for leadership tips on successful communication skills!

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

1. Maintain a balance between negative and positive feedback. Areas requiring work improvement should be confronted in a courteous manner. It’s also central to acknowledge employee efforts and accomplishments when fitting.

2. Be professional when providing negative feedback. Screaming or saying insulting remarks can generate resentment and bring little if any change at all. On the other hand, constructive criticism may prove beneficial when done in a respectful manner.

3. Communicate job roles and expected outcomes. Providing a clear understanding of job responsibilities and company expectations helps minimize misunderstandings, while promoting employee accountability.

4. Listen attentively. Skilled leaders are attentive to the concerns of their staff members. Encouraging employee input cultivates team efforts and positive work environments. 5. Be open to receive feedback. There’s always room for growth and leadership improvement. Have other supervisors and managers evaluate your communication skills. Gathering feedback from others opens opportunities for personal and professional growth.