“Resilience is a precious skill. People who have it have three advantages: a belief they can influence life events, a tendency to find meaning and purpose in life’s turmoil, and a conviction they can learn from positive and negative experiences.”
– Amanda Ripley
On a scale of 1-10, how stressed do you feel while at work? Are the motivators for that stress occurring from the workplace, workload, or from other factors in your personal life? Improving occupational stress requires a multifaceted approach that addresses individual coping strategies, organizational support systems, and workplace culture.
Although the ability to adapt well to difficult or challenging life experiences, also called resilience, comes from within, you don’t have to manage your stress alone. Use the tools and people around you to make it through the day together because odds are that your coworkers are also feeling stressed. Whether you are the supervisor of your department or an employee, you are part of a team that can foster a healthier work environment. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life by setting clear boundaries, promoting flexible work arrangements when possible, and discouraging excessive overtime.
- Provide Adequate Resources: Ensure that employees have the necessary tools, equipment, staffing, and training to perform their jobs effectively. Inadequate resources can contribute to feelings of frustration and stress. If you are an employee and feel you are lacking resources, talk to your supervisor about strategies to gain more resources.
- Encourage Open Communication: Foster a supportive work environment where employees feel comfortable expressing concerns, seeking assistance, and providing feedback. Encourage regular communication between supervisors and staff to address issues proactively. Let your coworkers know that you have an open-door policy and that you are open to collaboration.
- Promote Health and Wellness: Promote participation in wellness initiatives such as exercise programs, healthy eating options, and access to mental health resources through the free WellCats program! Encourage employees to prioritize self-care activities and maintain their physical and emotional well-being.
- Provide Recognition and Feedback: Recognize employees’ contributions and achievements regularly. Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback can boost morale, motivation, and job satisfaction, reducing feelings of stress and burnout.
- Empowerment and Autonomy: Provide employees with opportunities for decision-making, autonomy, and professional growth. Empowered employees who have control over their work processes and outcomes are more likely to experience job satisfaction and lower levels of stress.
- Lead by Example: Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for workplace culture. Leaders can model healthy work habits, prioritize employee well-being, and actively support initiatives aimed at reducing stress and promoting a positive work environment. Everyone in the workplace has the potential to lead towards positive change!
By fostering a culture that values resilience, organizations can provide support and resources to help employees navigate stressful situations more effectively. Encouraging open communication, providing opportunities for training and skill development, and offering mentorship or coaching programs can all contribute to building resilience in the workforce. Additionally, recognizing and celebrating employees’ resilience in overcoming obstacles can reinforce its importance and encourage its further development. Ultimately, by promoting resilience as a skill within the workplace, organizations can empower employees to thrive in the face of adversity, leading to greater job satisfaction, improved well-being, and increased productivity.