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Smoking Businessmann
Smoking Businessmann
Stress, according to Gallup, costs U.S. industry more than $300 billion each year.
Every business owner clearly understands the hassle and angst of having to deal daily with staff conflict, turnover, sick days and insurance claims. Stress is responsible for 20 percent of turnover and an average 1 million employees missing work each day, according to the American Institute of Stress. The organization also reports that stress costs companies an average $602 per year per employee.
A recent progressive trend is for companies to offer employees some form of stress management program focused on teaching techniques and recognition strategies for coping with stress. But expectations for immediate results have become impractical. In some instances, companies are seeing incremental results, but empirical evidence suggests the rewards are temporary. Stress levels are not declining; they are increasing.
Resiliency, the Alternative Choice
To understand stress is to understand the science behind it. Stress has traditionally been viewed as harmful. The more classical approach to managing stress often saw it as chronic, taking a real toll on our minds, bodies and behavior. But research has begun to show people can team to develop a response to stress that creates what psychologists label “resilience.”
Developing skills directed toward optimistic thinking and relaxation strategies, coupled with the activation of positive routines such as good sleep and scheduling fun activities, can reduce the toxic negative effects on our health.
Stress, like all of our biological functions, is a natural essential element designed to help us respond to specific situations that require a sudden burst of energy and reaction. Studies show stress enhances our productivity and focus. It improves our health and helps in building resilience. According to Kelly McGonigal, author and health psychologist at Stanford University, stress and life challenges facilitate learning and enhance the emotional and intellectual growth processes. It increases our mental toughness, helps build a foundation grounded in deeper relationships, and provides a greater appreciation for life.
Applying This to Your Company
There are tools and programs intended to teach employees to use stress and become more performant and productive. For example, companies that sought help from Clement Stress Alternative reported a dramatic increase of as much as 20 percent in staff retention.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do on your own. You can start by changing your perception of stress. Seeing stress as positive and useful will dramatically alter your attitude. Positivity has always led to the best results in mitigating conflict and harnessing the good side of stress.