Work-related stress undoubtedly effects different people, in many different ways. The sales environment is undeniably stressful at times, requiring a high level of resilience from employees dealing with pressure to hit target and facing rejection on a daily basis.

In addition to stress related to specific job roles, recent events have created more anxiety than ever for those in the workplace. A study published by Health and Safety Executive found that work-related stress, anxiety and depression had grown significantly in the UK in 2020. With one of the most turbulent periods we’ve ever experienced, it is no surprise that findings also suggested that in 2019/2020, stress accounted for a total of 51% of all work-related ill-health cases.

Whether it is recognising stress in your teams, colleagues, or in yourself, it is important that the right tools are in place to help alleviate stress in the workplace.

We’ve put together 10 tips for stress reduction:

Open channels of communication

A problem shared is a problem halved. By providing an opportunity for open communication, stress is often eased with the reassurance that someone is there to support you.

Meditation

Taking time out of your day to be mindful of the space around you, concentrate on your breathing and how you feel within yourself encourages self-awareness and leaves you better equipped to deal with the emotions and obstacles you face.

Regular breaks

Taking time out to get a fresh perspective and clear your head of all the things that tend to build up over the course of a day will ensure you are able to process your feelings effectively.

Team building exercises 

Feeling assured that the team around you has your best interests at heart and is there to support you is essential to workplace wellbeing. Teambuilding exercises encourage communication and reinforce bonds.

Stay active 

Morning and lunchtime walks are fantastic ways to decrease stress levels. Increased physical activity has a proven positive impact on mental health and will almost certainly contribute to reduced stress.

Seek out healthy options 

Steering away from unhealthy habits is hard, but with lots of healthy alternatives available there is an increased opportunity to make better choices.

Music

Listening to music can really help de-stress. Whether that means having the radio on in the background at lunchtime, or taking a short break to listen to some soothing music where possible, you’ll undoubtedly feel more relaxed.

Prioritise what’s important 

Focus on one thing at a time and work your way through the list, remember, you’re only human. Setting achievable and actionable goals is essential to maintaining a sense of accomplishment, feeling relaxed and in control.

Revise your strategy

No one wants to feel like a broken record; taking a fresh approach to the day-to-day requirements of your job and trying different ways of doing things will energise and revitalise.

​Work-life balance 

Now that many of us work from home, it is doubly important to make sure your work doesn't creep into every aspect of your life. This may mean creating a physical line between your work area and the rest of your home or simply making sure you allocate sufficient time for leisure each week.

These are just a handful of useful tips that can contribute to reduced stress at work. We would always recommend talking to your manager or supervisor if you’re feeling particularly stressed about work.

For more stress reducing tips, visit the NHS website