What is stress?
What is stress – and how to prevent stress at work?
The word 'stress' comes from Latin and means 'to string'. To tighten - or lace - to. In short, stress occurs when, after a strain, we humans fail to recover before we are thrown into the next exertion of force. So we're all just human beings, and no one can stand to be "on" all the time.
Research shows that what can really be preventive against stress are structural interventions such as top management backing up, organisations having a well-worked and up-to-date stress policy, taking joint responsibility, making the work meaningful, having enough resources to solve tasks, being confident and having clear roles, etc.
We have gathered 3 concrete pieces of advice to help prevent stress at work:
3 tips to prevent stress at work
Consider tasks and requirements
Privilege the tasks and requirements to fit with the time and resources available.
Make room for recovery
Thank you and make sure that employees have the possibility of recovery: breaks during the day; take time off from emails and text messages in your spare time; to get enough sleep and exercise.
Make a clear expectation poll
Your workplace must be imbued with a clear vote of expectation. It must be clear what management expects from the individual employee, from groups of employees and what the co-workers expect from each other.
If you need concrete advice to promote an inclusive workplace with clear expectations, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Nikoline Nybo
Consultant
BA Anthropology and Chaos Pilot.
Experience in cultural analysis and anthropological methodology, project management and process design, organizational development and facilitation.
Louise Marie Genefke
Consultant
Cand. mag. Marketing & Communication, MA Management and External Lecturer AU.
Experience with management, talent and organizational development, facilitation and Employer Branding.