National Stress Awareness Day
What is stress and can it affect employee well-being?
Stress is the definition of the overwhelming sensation of feeling too much mental or emotional strain. In response, our bodies react by releasing adrenaline and cortisol to cope. Small amounts of stress can be good for us, by motivating action. Too much however, can lead to mild physical side effects like headaches and stomach pains. At its worst, stress can bring on anxiety attacks, depression and PTSD1. This National Stress Awareness Day, on November 3rd, take the time out to educate and implement the support your teams deserve.
Ways employers can reduce employee stress
So, what can you do? The answer is simpler than you might have first thought. What you need, is to create a roadmap of support and recognition that goes beyond a simple thank you. Employees need personal recognition – whether they know it or not.
Tackle stress by tapping into your employees’ full potential, through employee rewards and recognition that graciously demonstrate your appreciation for loyalty and hard work. In turn, you can transform the employee experience into a rewarding, streamlined journey. Instilling confidence and happiness in your workers, so that they can break down all barriers to innovation.
Offering an end-to-end reward and recognition platform, Red Letter Days Corporate provides you the tools to ignite the passions in your team through imaginative, indulgent and truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Suited to every form of employee recognition, from long service awards to Christmas presents and impromptu surprises, our gift experiences come with personalised packaging, insert sheets and much more – so you can add that warm, personal touch to every celebration.
Whether it’s a supercar drive on a prestigious UK racetrack, a soothing day in the spa or an adventurous skydive from thousands of feet, whatever drives their passions, our stress-busting experiences offer the perfect chance to write new, extraordinary stories. For your employees on their own, or in the company of their loved ones.
Educate best practises to tackle stress
Further to adopting an employee recognition programme, additional support and guidance on lifestyle changes will help, too. Whether applicable to inside or outside office hours, share these simple, effective steps to promote positive change to their daily lives.
1. Exercise
Not only does exercise promote physical health, it’s also extremely beneficial to our grey matter. From running in the fresh morning air before work, to lunchtime fitness classes, being kind to our brains with a motivational workout can help release the negative toxins of the day.
2. Sleep
Sleep is crucial to effectively concentrate and perform. Getting eight hours can be difficult if upcoming events or pressures weigh heavy on the mind. If struggling, advise contacting a doctor, joining talking therapy or practising sleep hygiene. From a bedtime routine to steering clear of devices before bed, sleep hygiene helps condition our bodies and minds – so we’re ready for the land of Nod as soon as our heads hit that pillow.
3. Keep a tab on caffeine intake
Guilty of repeatedly hitting the coffee machine or slurping an energy drink to push through a task? Think again. Limitation is key. Reducing caffeine intake can help improve sleep – especially when applied to the evening. Herbal tea, a warm cordial or milk is a great alternative and just as delicious – without the sleep warning2.
4. Eating a balanced diet
A balanced diet helps maintain a healthy body and mind. From getting the recommended five-a-day intake to understanding harmful foods to cut down on or remove from our diets altogether, feeling your best has never been easier with the right balance3.
Let’s go from here
From educating best practises to relieve stress both inside and outside of work, to rolling out a programme of robust performance incentives, whether you unknowingly or knowingly see stress in the workplace, the time to protect and nurture is now.
Life’s for living. Experiences are time-standing-still moments that forever remain etched in our hearts and memories. Our gifts offer unrivalled moments of pleasure across a plethora of exciting categories. Giving your colleagues the chance to ‘live a little’ and leave the everyday behind, providing the escapism, contentment and positive well-being every employee deserves. Collaboratively, let’s reimagine HR processes and business success, by starting with your most important asset.