Workplace Wellness Programs: Focus on Stress Reduction

Advantages of Stress Reduction Programs

While stress cannot be eliminated from life, or even from the worksite, coping skills can be developed with relative ease. Stress management skills lead to reduced absenteeism and more effective, more productive staff members. Because stress has been shown to contribute to such physical conditions as ulcers, high blood pressure and stroke, stress reduction has a direct impact on improving physical health.

Studies have shown that heart patients who attend stress management programs have 42 percent lower health care costs. Other studies have documented a 50 percent reduction in medical services use when stress management programs are employed. Further, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) experts estimate that 20 percent of any workforce is affected by individual problems that can influence work performance.

Stress reduction tactics to consider:

• Offer on-site yoga or meditation classes.
• Organize support groups among staff members.
• Sponsor stress management classes during the workday.
• Offer an employee assistance program that includes both counseling and referral.
• Offer on-site counseling for staff members in the case of a work-related trauma, such as the death of a co-worker.