A yoga mat ain’t going to cut it: Real solutions for workplace stress

People are stressed out.

According to Gallup’s latest report, 41% of employees report experiencing “a lot of stress.” And it doesn’t matter how many mindfulness apps you throw at it—they're not going to fix poor management or the fact that people don’t have what they need to get their jobs done.

Stress reduction is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It varies depending on how an organisation is set up and how people get things done on a daily basis. With us spending an estimated 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, we need some serious stress-busting strategies to shift these worrying statistics.

So, where to start?

From our extensive research and experience with over 100 organisations, we've identified core principles that need to be in place for people to feel engaged, motivated, and happy in their work. Here are the key areas to focus on:

1️⃣ Alignment

Clearly define your purpose, values, and strategic goals, and embed them across the employee experience. When everyone understands the bigger picture, it creates a cohesive and motivating environment.

2️⃣ Appreciation

Regularly recognise individual and team contributions through meaningful praise, gratitude, and rewards. A simple "thank you" can go a long way in making employees feel valued.

3️⃣ Belonging

Foster a deep sense of acceptance by celebrating diversity and providing equal access to opportunities and resources. Everyone should feel like they are part of the team.

4️⃣ Communication

Ensure consistent communication with documented rituals and processes for timely and accessible information transfer. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page.

5️⃣ Empowerment

Provide the support, systems, structure, and tools that enable teams and individuals to be productive, make decisions, and work autonomously. Empowered employees are more engaged and motivated.

6️⃣ Flexibility

Offer choice and adaptability in work methods to accommodate individual needs and optimise productivity. Flexible working arrangements can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.

7️⃣ Growth Mindset

Cultivate a shared belief that individuals can grow and improve their skills through hard work, testing new ideas, and sharing learning opportunities. A growth mindset encourages continuous improvement and resilience.

8️⃣ Play

Incorporate regular opportunities for fun and creative activities with peers to facilitate social connections and trust. Playful environments can boost creativity and relieve stress.

9️⃣ Psychological Safety

Ensure that people won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. A psychologically safe environment fosters innovation and openness.

🔟 Wellbeing

Prioritise physical, emotional, social, environmental, intellectual, and financial health. Comprehensive wellbeing programs show employees that you care about their overall health and happiness.

It's time to pop the yoga mats away

Think about how you can start to reinforce these principles into your daily practices and create a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and supported. Real change comes from integrating these strategies into the fabric of your company culture, not just offering superficial solutions.

Need more stress-busting strategies? Get in touch to chat. Together, we can make work a place where everyone thrives.