As a business owner, you’re probably under quite a lot of stress. That’s something most of us try to internalize, and it makes it somewhat more difficult to recognize and acknowledge that if we’re feeling it, then odds are good that our friends, coworkers and employees are too.
The simple truth is, you’re not alone. According to the latest statistics, a shocking percentage of the American workforce is under stress and the numbers tell a grim story. Here are the highlights:
- More than three quarters of workers (76%) cite their jobs as the leading cause of stress in their lives.
- More than half (54%) say that the stress they’re under is affecting their personal relationships, causing them to fight more with their loved ones.
- 73% of those impacted regularly suffer psychological impacts, and 77% experience physical symptoms, including muscle aches and cramps and periodic migraine headaches.
- Nearly half (48%) report that stress impacts their sleep patterns, and 33% report that they are under extreme stress.
In terms of its impact on you, as a business owner, you should know that fully 60% of those surveyed indicated that the stress they’re under is making them so unhappy, they’ve at least considered the possibility of leaving their current job, and stressed out employees are on average, 10% less productive than non-stressed employees.
Those are terrifying statistics that are impacting your bottom line. That’s the bad news. Now for the good. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help the situation. Here are a few of the most straightforward:
Smile
Starting with the simplest: Smile. It might seem like nothing, but studies have shown that being smiled at reduces stress! Right now, you’ve probably got a significant portion of your workforce working from home due to the ongoing pandemic, which means you’re probably communicating via video chat, more often than not.
Smiles have the same impact whether they’re delivered in person or virtually, so the next time you’re talking with your employees, remember to smile! And on the topic of communicating with your employees, do more of it, not less, and make sure that at least some of your communications aren’t work related.
Buy Stress Balls as Gifts!
This is another super simple, yet surprisingly effective idea. Stress balls come in all shapes, sizes and colors, so you’re sure to find something to cater to every taste and preference. Buy stress relieving gifts for every employee you have and send them out with a handwritten note, thanking them for all that they do.
Studies have shown that stress balls reduce stress by up to 15%. That’s quite a gain for an incredibly modest investment.
Encourage Your Employees To Get Outside On Breaks
Many people tend to stay close to their desks during the day, whether they’re working from home or at the office. Studies have shown though, that spending just fifteen minutes a day walking in a natural setting, surrounded by trees and a variety of green growing things can reduce stress levels by up to 50%. That’s a huge gain, and it makes a fifteen-minute sanity break every day a worthwhile investment indeed.
There are a lot more things you can do or encourage, but if you start by employing the three strategies outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to alleviating whatever stress your hard-working employees are under. That’s win-win.