3 Ways to Fight Stress in the Workplace and Promote Rest

For most creatives, peak season flows right into the holiday season and sometimes feels like we hardly have time to breathe. Sacrificing rest and downtime, however, can harm your physical health, mental health, and even the health of your company. 

To prevent burnout, you need to set aside time for self-care. It may seem laughable when your never-ending to-do list is staring at you, but rest assured that your work will still be there when you get back. You, however, will be more refreshed and productive as you tackle your tasks.

If you lead a team, you must instill the value of self-care into your employees as well. Don’t expect them to work 60 hours a week so you can make it to your weekly massage. The most effective businesses are those in which every person feels healthy, empowered, and motivated — the opposite of burnt out.

If your company could use a level up in the self-care department, take note of these strategies for building an environment of stress-free rest and rejuvenation.

Get organized

There’s nothing more stressful than an office environment where nothing is ever where it belongs. If you or your staff are continually tracking down missing files or rehashing the current to-do list, your systems are sorely in need of an overhaul. Start with physical clutter — put things away where they belong and toss anything that is no longer necessary. Less is more.

When your office is tidied up, focus your attention on digital assets. Is your inbox overflowing? Do you need a task management platform to create accountability? Can you get a file-sharing program or instant messaging software that will simplify day-to-day processes? When you address the clutter—both physical and digital—you create space for innovation and productivity.

Learn to delegate

Feeling responsible for every little task is a one-way ticket to burnout. Delegation is a critical skill for effective leaders, whether you run a company of one or one thousand. If you have an in-house team, get comfortable letting them take the lead on projects so you can free up time and space for yourself. Likewise, work on team-building skills with them. Teach them to lean on each other when they need a break to ensure everyone is contributing equally.

If you are a solopreneur, consider outsourcing work to contractors, interns, or even friends and family members who are willing to help. Start with the tasks you least enjoy. It could be blog writing, bookkeeping, social media management — anything is up for delegation.

Find your one thing

We all have something that actively calms us down when we’re feeling stressed out. For some, it’s sweating it out in yoga while others find peace in the garden. Think about the activities or hobbies that bring you to your happy place. Then, find a way to weave it into the days in which you need a break. It may be creating an office-friendly stretching routine or tending a mini Zen garden on your desk.

I’ve personally found fractal therapy to be rewarding and effective while requiring very little time. Fractals are identical repeating patterns, like snowflakes, swirls, or ocean waves, which reduce the amount of stress hormones in our body. Find a calming video, put it on loop for a few minutes, and let your brain unwind.

Stress is common in the workplace, but it can quickly become a pervasive and contagious toxin. A creative career is high pressure because you welcome inherently subjective opinions on your work. Anyone who has gotten a poor review in the past can attest to the mental toll of outside opinions. Pair that with the stress of sales culture, and you can end up with a pretty hectic mindset.

Self-care is essential to preserve your mental sanity, but it also serves the quality of your work. Well-rested minds lead to more creative ideas, increased focus, and better moods — all things that trickle down to the rest of your team when rest is a company-wide priority.

With 30 years of experience owning event planning, high-end catering, and design and décor companies, Meryl Snow is on a mission to help businesses get on their own path to success. As a Senior Consultant & Sales Trainer for SnowStorm Solutions, Meryl travels throughout North America training clients in the areas of sales, marketing, design, and branding. As a valued member of the Wedding Industry Speakers, she speaks with groups from the heart with warmth and knowledge, and covers the funny side of life and business.