A happy and stress-free work environment is more likely to motivate staff in delivering on key performance targets as it positively impacts the overall bottom line and growth of a business. It is for this reason, among many others, why managing stress in the workplace matters.

As the Jamaica Observer continues this second in a series of articles on stress, in recognition of April as National Stress Awareness Month, we today share insights from two experts on how persons can cope in a stressful work environment.

Work and stress for many are two variables that go together but they don’t have to be if individuals learn from early out how to cope under pressure while maintaining a good work-life balance.

According to human resource trainer and consultant Joni-Gaye Cawley, an individual in managing stress should first be mindful of the source of this stress and also how they plan to channel it.

She said that while stress is a normal emotion which can sometimes alter the mental state, how it is managed is what will determine the quality of relationships and interactions one will have with peers in the workplace and also the level of output they are able to deliver.

Just the thought of meeting deadlines, dealing with difficult bosses and bad-tempered colleagues can be enough to push an individual to breaking point, but remaining calm while exuding professionalism, the HR expert said, can go a very far way.

“Individuals undergoing stress must practise open communication, they should tell someone about overwhelming feelings and ask for help from trusted or close associates and in the workplace a good place to start is with the HR department. Time management is also very important as oftentimes stress comes as a result of having so little time to do so much work — individuals as a remedy can therefore narrow down activities prioritising more important tasks first as they work their way down the list of things to do,” Cawley said, citing the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as useful tools, which in this era can help individuals to perform a wide range of organisational, brainstorming and other tasks.

“Another important step is for individuals to prioritise that work-life balance, in some cases completely separating the two where necessary. When at home, individuals should try to spend quality time with family as they relax, unwind, exercise, eat healthy, rest or even participate in recreational and other fun activities with loved ones,” she added.

Acknowledging that stress is not a one-sided issue but can come as result of multiple factors, the work environment, which is sometimes a source of stress for some individuals must also be assessed to see how best companies through its management can find ways to also assist staff in coping with stress.

To this end, Cawley highlights leadership seminars, motivational workshops, the establishment of social clubs, regular review of performance to assess workload, rewards and incentive programmes for good work and the build-out of recreational/quiet spaces such as gardens and gymnasiums for after work activities, as some of the outlets/measures which can be put in place to help employees de-stress, whether the source is internal or external.

“Companies in recognising that it is a happy staff that will get work done and not necessarily those that are stressed or bogged down by life’s challenges, will see it fit to make the required investments needed to keep its most valuable resource in check,” Cawley said.

Describing stress as fact of life, which can come from all angles, counselling psychologist Dr Curtis Sweeney said, “It cannot be avoided but minimised if managed effectively.”

“The key to coping effectively with stress is to develop a lifestyle, which focuses on nurturing and renewing oneself, incorporating all aspects of the self — the physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual. This builds resilience, which is critical in these times as we face a multiplicity of stressors on a daily basis,” he said.

“In today’s rapidly changing work environment, it is necessary for us to retool and equip ourselves. To respond appropriately we have to stay current and relevant. This means that constant mental renewal or lifelong learning is now a reality for all of us. Reading and studying broadens our horizon and enables us to explore and exploit various options. This can alleviate the stress that may be associated with an occupation, which one may find burdensome and unfulfilling,” Sweeney continued.

Having provided psychological support for the staff of the GraceKennedy Group for more than three decades, he deems mental renewal as being necessary for an employee’s intellectual and occupational functioning.

“Several studies reveal that when we get to the point of being overwhelmed, we cannot be effective and our concentration is distorted. By switching to an utterly different activity we create the ‘relaxation-effect’ (HBR). As a result, we experience the mental rearrangement, the foundation for solutions, new insights and creativity.

“There are several ways in which we can achieve the relaxation effect: Taking a five-minute stress break from one’s desk or a challenging task, having lunch away from your desk or workplace, deep breathing exercises, listening to music, dancing, socialising with family and friends, enjoying the serenity of nature, massage, reading and watching television are just some examples,” Sweeney said, noting that for companies they can likewise help their employees to cope with stress in the workplace by implementing mental health days, flexi-work arrangements, team building activities while providing referrals for psychosocial support.

“Sometimes we may need the intervention of a counsellor to assist us in developing effective coping strategies. Counselling is a professional relationship which involves a collaborative process of managing problems and exploring unused opportunities to facilitate growth,” he stated.