Imagine a program, created specifically for you, that outlined easy-to-adopt stress reduction strategies; a ‘how to guide’ to effortlessly handle the unavoidable stress in your life. This plan could include lifestyle changes as well as mental and emotional strategies, like relaxation techniques and working with a busy mind. Imagine it identifies your triggers for stress and outlines healthy ways to cope with them. The value of this would be personally tremendous.
The value to organizations is also extraordinary.
Why is a stress management plan important?
Using stress to your benefit can lead you toward a life that is in alignment with your values and goals. A plan is a strategic roadmap to lead the way. Good stress is short-term. It inspires, motivates and allows you to focus your energy to enhance your performance. Harmful stress is cumulative, leads to lack of focus, decreased performance and impacts your physical and mental health making it difficult to cope with everyday life. When you learn to manage your stress you gain access to more of the ‘good’ stress while working deliberately with stressors that threaten your well-being.
A stress management plan can help you with the following:
Identify the sources of positive and negative stress.
Develop healthy strategies to deal with stress.
Prevent or reduce the negative health effects of chronic stress.
Improve your quality of life.
A stress management plan is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. Developing a plan and sticking to it is, however, an important first step.
What should a stress management plan include?
A stress management plan should include an ongoing commitment to education with a variety of approaches that provide help to deal with stress in the midst of overwhelm, in preparation for stressful events and as a life-long tool kit toward living your very best life.
At mindku we share a variety of techniques and tools including:
Meditation
Breathing techniques
Vision training
Behavioral science insights
How can I implement a stress management plan at work?
Schedule time for recovery.
It's important to schedule time for mental health recovery, just as you would with physical health. This might look like taking regular breaks throughout the day, setting aside time each week to relax and recharge, and making sure to get enough sleep each night. Taking care of your mental health is essential for overall well-being, so make it a priority in your life.
Rest to increase productivity.
It is a well-researched fact that people who take regular breaks are more productive than those who do not. This is because taking breaks allows the mind and body to recharge, which makes it easier to focus when you return to work.
There are many different ways to take a break, but one of the most effective is to use a technique called NSDR (Non sleep deep rest), which is a form of a body scan meditation that is even more effective than simply taking a nap. This can do wonders for your energy levels, and it will also help you to be more alert when you return to work.
Of course, taking a break doesn’t mean that you have to stop working altogether. Sometimes, simply getting up and moving around for a few minutes can be enough to increase your productivity. Taking a walk, stretching, or even just standing up and moving your body can help to increase blood flow and energy levels.
So next time you feel your productivity lagging, don’t hesitate to take a break. It just might be what you need to get back on track.
Encourage your team to take vacation.
It's important to encourage your team to take vacation. It can be a good way to improve morale and let everyone recharge their batteries. Plus, it can help prevent burnout in the workplace.
Try to offer a variety of vacation options, like flexible scheduling or working from home. And remember, it's okay to encourage people to take some time off even if they don't want to.
It is important to find what works for you and to stick to your plan. Stress management is not a one size fits all solution. You may need to try different techniques before you find what works best for you.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, it is important to seek help from a professional. A professional can help you create a personalized stress management plan that will work for you.
Introduce team micropractices
In order to build a strong team, it is important to establish micropractices that everyone can follow. Micropractices are small, specific actions that teams can take to improve their performance. By establishing micropractices, teams can foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
Some examples of team micropractices include:
• agreeing on an intention at the beginning of a meeting
• taking a few moments to breathe together before group work
• holding regular check-ins that focus on more than just a to do list
These are just a few examples – there are many other possible micropractices that teams can adopt, depending on their needs and preferences. The important thing is that everyone on the team is aware of the micropractices and agrees to follow them.
Learning a little at a time, like in mindku's fifteen minute micropractices, encourages brain neuroplasticity. It makes it easier to adopt new skills, builds better habits and improves overall performance.
How does a stress management plan benefit work culture?
A stress management plan helps the individuals that make up your team while also strengthening the team and organization. First, it can help employees identify sources of stress and learn how to better cope with them. Second, it can provide a structure for addressing stressors and improving communication between employees and managers. Finally, it can help to create a more positive and productive work environment.
Ready to implement?
Employees could complete a self-assessment to identify their personal stressors. This can be followed by individual or group meetings to discuss coping strategies. Another approach is to focus on organizational change, such as implementing policies or procedures that reduce work-related stressors. Whatever approach is taken, it is important to involve employees in the process and ensure that the plan is tailored to meet the needs of the organization.
A quick and easy way to introduce a stress management plan in the workplace is to let mindku do it for you. Help your team build the skills and capacity to manage stress effectively in only two, short 15-minute sessions a week.
The program is ready-to-go and easy to implement with regular, science-backed practices such as: team meditation, breathwork techniques and more. Build a resilient, productive team that manages stress to their personal advantage within a work culture that is also happier and healthier.
Take a deep breath with us.