Most of us experience work-related stress on some level. In fact, pressure at work is the number two cause of stress after financial worries. The Wall Street Journal’s Sue Shellenbarger recently discussed some of the latest stress-busting techniques companies are using, including mindful communication, cognitive behavioral training and even new office designs.
“Mindfulness-based stress reduction” has been a particularly effective program. It teaches meditation techniques, stretches, yoga and body scans – noticing when your body tenses due to stress and then relaxing your muscles. However, the program is time-consuming and impractical for many to integrate into their workday. It involves eight, two-hour weekly sessions and a final full-day retreat.
A simpler approach is to adopt a few of the programs tactics. For example, practice accepting daily hassles without judgment. You can also practice “mindful communication” by paying attention to what is being said and asking questions rather than blaming, criticizing or being defensive.
Cognitive-behavioral training aims to equip employees with skills to screen out negative thoughts and focus on the positive. Employees learn to regard personal failure as a learning opportunity, transform negative self-thoughts into hopeful ones and identify a compelling life purpose. Heathways, a provider of health and wellness programs, tested the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral training at the railroad company Union Pacific Corp. in Omaha. After a six-month test, the percentage of the 680 participants experiencing happiness on a day-to-day basis increased from 79 to 94 percent.
Even if incorporating these programs or designs into your office is impractical, it might be worthwhile to practice a few simpler techniques, or even just take a walk on your lunch break.Other companies are employing new office designs to reduce stress, incorporating more plants, natural light and outdoor employee cafes. These efforts coincide with research indicating that exposure to nature can help lower blood pressure, pulse rates and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.