A recent study by the American Institute of Stress found that 40% of workers experience stress on the preceding day, highlighting workplace stress as a significant issue across all industries and positions. The study also found that stress can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and decreased job satisfaction.
According to Headspace’s 2024 Workplace State of Mind study… work-related stress has negatively impacted physical health for 77% of employees and relationships outside of work for 71%. Workplace mental health expert Natasha Bowman has noted that although there was a surge in empathy and compassion during the pandemic, there is a shift back to pre-pandemic habits, including rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion and well-being initiatives, which people are not responding well to. Fear of losing one’s job, lack of resources for well-being, and poor time management can create a vicious cycle of stress, driving unproductive and obsessive behaviors.
However… research shows that achieving balance is key, “as those who remain calm and focused during challenges are more productive and successful.” The good news is that there are many strategies individuals and organizations can implement to reduce workplace stress and promote employee well-being. By cultivating emotional intelligence, “professionals can gain the tools they need to manage stress and thrive in the workplace.” This article was first published in Forbes.
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As May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to focus on managing stress, an everyday companion for many professionals, as 40% of workers report feeling stressed. However, amidst the chaos, a powerful tool can significantly reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being: emotional intelligence (EI). This article explores the transformative impact of EI in managing stress at work and offers actionable strategies for cultivating this invaluable skill.
A recent study by Gallup revealed that 40% of workers experience stress on the preceding day. The study, conducted by the American Institute of Stress, highlights that workplace stress is a significant issue that affects employees across all industries and positions. The study also found that stress can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and decreased job satisfaction. According to Headspace’s 2024 Workplace State of Mind study, work-related stress has negatively impacted physical health for 77% of employees and relationships outside of work for 71%. Workplace mental health expert Natasha Bowman, in a recent Harvard Business Review article, has also shared that although a high level of empathy and compassion emerged during the pandemic, there is a shift back to pre-pandemic habits, including rollbacks of DEI and well-being initiatives, which people are not responding well.
The fear of losing one’s job, a lack of resources for well-being, and poor time management can create a vicious cycle that increases stress and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, driving more unproductive and obsessive behaviors.
The good news is that there are many strategies that individuals and organizations can implement to reduce workplace stress and promote employee well-being. As Daniel Goleman says in his book Working with Emotional Intelligence, “Too little urgency, and we are apathetic; too much, and we are overwhelmed .” Achieving the balance is the key. Research showed that people who, during a challenge, were no more anxious than when they started it, kept calm and stayed alert and productive, maintaining low cortisol, won as more as twice as their peers, whereas the ones motivated by fear of failure got peaks of cortisol that were not as productive.
