Stress in the Workplace: a Mindfulness Approach

19.12.2016

Recent figures suggest that 37% of all work-related sickness in the UK is caused by stress, anxiety and depression. Stress affects the lives of many people.

 

There are lots of different causes of stress, but it can be hugely affected by the nature of the relationships between line managers and their staff. Mindfulness training in the workplace can increase self-awareness, improve management skills, and can also minimise stress.

 

Causes of work-related stress

Work is all about taking action to achieve goals. If we possessed unlimited time, there would be far less stress felt in the workplace; in the real world there are time constraints and benchmarks of quality control to meet.

 

The HSE identifies six areas of work-related stress: demands of the job, control over work, support from colleagues and superiors, relationships with others, one’s understanding of the role, and organisational change experienced. Each of these issues can present stress when an employee finds it difficult to cope.

The fight or flight response

Reactions to stress are highly individual, though a common experience is the fight or flight response. This is also known as the “acute stress response”. This is a primitive reaction, useful for when our ancestors faced physical danger. We are still hardwired to react this way to stress, even though physical threats are now rare.

 

When we encounter a threat, our sympathetic nervous system releases chemicals that affect our breathing, constrict blood vessels, and tighten muscles. In turn, we experience feelings of fear, anxiety, and the dichotomy of whether to face the problem and fight, or run away. Experiencing this stress response on a regular basis is distressing and detrimental to health in both the short and long term.

Responsible management

In the workplace, managers are often in the best position to prevent and deal with work-related stress.

 

It’s a common misconception that fear promotes productivity; a culture of fear actually alienates the workforce and makes the “acute stress response” a more likely outcome. Employees may initially step up and work harder to get results, but are more likely to burn out and be less productive in the long run.

 

As Michael Chaskalson  notes, “Anxious people get tunnel-visioned. They don’t think straight and they’re not able to be very creative”.

How mindfulness can help

Research suggests there’s a link between mindfulness, a better work/life balance for employees, and increased productivity.

 

Effective leaders not only have a better awareness of themselves, but also a better awareness of others. Being mindful reduces stress and creates more compassion and empathy for other people. With an increased understanding of how the demands of the job are affecting employees, managers are in a better position to be supportive and can help people manage their workloads more effectively. When workers feel understood, they’re more likely to be productive and achieve the goals set for them.

 

To find out more reducing stress in the workplace, contact rachel@mindfulnessworks.com or call (+44) 01223 750660.