Ah, workplace stress - it's a growing problem. I'm stressed. You're stressed. We're all stressed (can I get a hell yeah!?). Did you know that stress can have a catastrophic impact on employee wellness and productivity? It's not something to ignore. So today, we're going to explore how the power of events should be part of your employee wellness strategy.
Stress is your body's reaction to pressure. It can be triggered by a new experience, something out of our control, or something that feels unobtainable, weighing us down. But when that pressure never lifts, it can have a massive impact on your mental health. Stress presents in an assortment of ways and can take its toll physically and psychologically - sleepless nights, anxiety, lack of appetite or inability to focus are but a few symptoms. Although some hate to admit it, we've all been there. In fact, 79% of people are affected by workplace stress and with stats like that, something needs to be done ASAP.
Now, why should we care about reducing stress at work?
High stress levels aren't just a nuisance. They're a productivity killer, a creativity crusher, and a happiness hijacker. When stressed to the max, we're more likely to call in sick, throw in the towel, and kiss our motivation goodbye.
That's where the magic of employee wellness and engagement comes into play. It's common knowledge that an engaged, happy workforce is a productive workforce. In an ideal world, we'd love to eradicate workplace stress, but it's not always possible as deadlines loom or to-do lists grow. However, there are practices a business can implement to support their teams, enhance engagement and improve employee wellness.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Organisations, people, and stressors can vary. What might trigger me might not trigger you, and vice versa. This means effective employee wellness needs to take a tailored, holistic approach. There is an assortment of tactics, but no employee wellness strategy is complete without a selection of events that foster good vibes.
Why are events important?
A misconception is that corporate events are about having a bit of a jolly, free food and free swag. Although that's one of the nice perks, corporate events are actually about building connections and resonating with your audience. For your internal teams, events can be crucial in re-establishing the company mission, creating an emotional connection and promoting wellness with opportunities to relax and recharge away from the office.
These are our top 5 event types that enhance employee wellness and reduce stress:
Wellness Workshops and Retreats:
Of course, wellness events are top of the list for reducing stress within the workplace. Wellness workshops and retreats are like a breath of fresh air in the corporate world, offering a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. These sessions can empower self-care by providing employees with tools they can use to manage stress in real-life situations. Retreats offer a change of scenery and a chance to reset.
Team-Building Adventures:
Get the dopamine flowing with adrenaline-boosting team activities that get people away from desks and connecting in a new environment. Team-building experiences help strengthen bonds and communication, which can result in an enhanced positive workplace culture. Having real, meaningful connections with colleagues can lead to a supportive work environment and alleviate stress levels as team members no longer feel isolated. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work, in and away from the office environment.
Recognition and appreciation:
Recognising employee contributions through events like awards ceremonies, incentives, or reward programmes can reinforce a culture of appreciation. Although these types of events may not take all the stress away, they can be a powerful tool. Recognition initiatives show your team they're valued for their hard work and create an environment where employees feel motivated and supported.
Social Events and Celebrations:
Social events and celebrations aren't just about having a good time; they're essential for reducing employee stress and creating a positive work environment. Remember, it doesn't need to be all work and no play! Team socials are an effective way to promote Work-Life balance, and they don't need to be costly. It's about having a great time together to create connections so employees have a peer support group around them, so it could be something as simple as a team dinner or an afternoon playing crazy golf.
Team Conferences:
How often are you able to get every employee together for an extended amount of time? We bet it doesn't happen that often! Meetings and conferences can help reduce stress by getting employee's buy-in to share the same joint mission as team members. During these sessions, employees hear company updates, reconnect, and realign themselves with the business objectives. Also, team meetings and conferences provide a platform for professional development or encourage connections and relationships amongst teams; they can be the perfect time to bring some fun into the mix. You can top and tail the 'business' part with something extra special and combine wellness, reward and socialising into one package.
So there you have it, 5 ways events can be incorporated into your employee wellness strategy so you can inspire, engage, celebrate and most importantly, destress.
At the crux, events provide the perfect platform for open, authentic conversations between employers and employees, giving the opportunity for voices to be heard and allowing human connections to take place. Because, after all, we're all in it together, and no matter what, we shouldn't have to try to keep calm and carry on alone.
If you would like to discover how events can help your employee engagement and well-being - get in touch! The asembl. team are waiting to hear from you.
Image credit: Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash