Is Stress Management Training Truly Beneficial to the Workplace?

In today’s often hectic and fast paced work environments, stress is increasingly being recognised as a significant issue that affects a wide range of areas including employee productivity, staff engagement and overall well-being. Companies are exploring stress management training as a means to address and resolve stressors in the workplace, but is investing in stress management training truly beneficial?

Understanding Stress in the Workplace

Stress is a natural reaction to demanding workplace circumstances such as deadlines, conflicts, travel or (in some cases) too heavy a workload and when these things happen occasionally the resulting stress reaction can be managed and mitigated. Prolonged stress, however, can lead to serious health problems such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. 

What is Prolonged Stress?

Prolonged stress is defined by the period of time in which someone feels and exhibits stress symptoms. These include:
•    A consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed 
•    Unfocused or obsessive thinking
•    Insomnia
•    Socialising less
•    Feeling detached from work and also in personal circumstances
•    Feeling frustrated and irritable

Physical Signs of Stress

As well as the mental load of feeling stressed, there are physical signs that may manifest as time goes on. These include:

•    Aches and pains
•    Headaches
•    Tiredness and fatigue
•    Digestive issues 
•    Excess sweating
•    Skin problems
•    Hormonal changes
•    Weakened immune system

When both the mental and physical signs of stress combine, this can lead to an overall situation whereby an individual struggles to work productively, interact positively with others, see all points of view or meet deadlines. In some cases, employees may be frequently absent from work due to the stress they are under which affects productivity and team morale.

Identifying Stress in Employees

Identifying stress in employees is crucial, not only to reduce the impact on the business but for individual wellbeing. Managers and team leaders should be aware of the common signs of stress such as declining performance, frequent absences, or interpersonal conflicts. By understanding what stress is and how it manifests, organisations can begin to proactively address these issues before they escalate.
Stress Management Training Course Options
There are a range of training courses available for businesses to address stress and mental load in the workplace. These may be of interest to a wide range of people including HR professionals, managers, supervisors, small business owners and first aiders. Options include:

Mindfulness Training: Mindfulness training is a popular and effective method for managing stress. Mindfulness is the practice of remaining present and fully engaged in the moment, which can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. 
Regular mindfulness exercises include:

•    Meditation
•    Mindful breathing
•    Mindful eating

These can help employees develop better emotional regulation and improve focus.

Results in 2013 from the Shamatha Project (a long-term, control-group study of the effects of meditation training on mind and body) suggested that focusing on the present rather than letting the mind drift may help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. More can be found here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130328142313.htm. 

Another study from 2022 published in BMC Psychology showed that mindfulness practice showed promise in stress reduction for students with upcoming exams, with a proven reduction in cortisol levels.
By incorporating mindfulness training into the workplace, companies can help employees build resilience against stress. This not only improves individual well-being but also fosters a more focused and engaged workforce.

Wellbeing Workshops

Wellbeing workshops are another form of stress management training that takes a more holistic approach. These workshops include a range of different aspects such as physical health initiatives, mental health support, and emotional well-being strategies. This means that those who train on these courses might learn techniques for managing work-life balance, improving sleep, exercising, or seeking help when needed.

Wellbeing workshops do not only address workplace issues - they address the broader aspects of employee health. Stress is rarely caused by one or two factors, it is usually a culmination of work/home life issues that come together to cause a stress reaction. Wellbeing workshops offer a range of tools and resources to support overall well-being.

Addressing Bullying and Harassment

While mindfulness and wellbeing workshops can help individuals to recognise and mitigate stress, they don’t necessarily address the root causes. One of the biggest contributors to workplace stress is bullying and harassment, which can lead to a hostile environment, especially if employees feel they are not being heard or the situation is not being addresses by management.

Workplace bullying can take many forms, from subtle actions like undermining someone’s work or excluding them from important meetings to verbal abuse, arguments or more. This can quickly turn into harassment, such as discriminatory behaviour based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. Bullying and harassment training is critical to ensure that employers foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, and quickly address any bullying or harassment issues that should arise.

Employers should ensure that employees feel confidential channels are open for reporting any bullying or harassment they feel is happening.  Strict policies should also be in place and enforced if needed to significantly reduce the prevalence of these behaviours. 

The Benefits of Stress Management Training

In conclusion, yes, stress management training is very much beneficial to the workplace, as it can provide employees with the tools to better manage their emotions and workloads. In addition, the signs of stress and overload can be quickly identified in other people, with the view of addressing problems before they arise.

Ensuring that employees are not stressed or feeling undermined at work leads to benefits such as:

1.    Improved Productivity
2.    Better Mental Health
3.    Lower Absenteeism
4.    Stronger Workplace Culture

Stress management training should be tailored to the unique needs of each workplace in order to be really effective. This should go alongside other related workplace training needs such as first aid, conflict training, mentoring or grievance and disciplinary courses. The success of such courses and combined training depends on their relevance to the specific challenges employees face alongside ongoing support from leadership.

In short, stress management training is more than just a short-term solution—it’s an investment in a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.