How can you create a stress management plan for your team?

To create a stress management plan for your team, start by assessing individual stressors and triggers through open communication. Then, implement strategies such as regular check-ins, workload distribution, and promoting work-life balance to address and alleviate stress. Finally, provide resources for coping mechanisms and encourage a supportive team environment to foster resilience and well-being.

Try to bring the team together and have them talk openly and candidly. Many times talking it through and getting the stress off the mind and shoulders can allow breakthroughs to help identify better paths forward.

Start by identifying potential stressors within your team and workplace. Common stressors may include heavy workloads, tight deadlines, unclear expectations, interpersonal conflicts, or lack of resources. Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather input from team members about their sources of stress. Provide access to mental health resources, employee assistance programs, counseling services, or stress management workshops. Encourage regular check-ins, one-on-one meetings, or team meetings where employees can voice their challenges and receive support from colleagues and leadership.

Research by Prof Angelique Hartwig et al 2020 ( Extract from paper ??) 1??“For example, in an event of emergency onboard of an aircraft, flight crew members can experience high stress, which reduces their cognitive or physical capacities to perform their team role tasks (e.g., preparing for emergency landing; Dietz et al., 2017). 2??We would therefore expect that such reduced team members’ contribution to team processes would result in a decrease in team resilience.3?? Previous research has shown that stress can cause the narrowing of attention at the individual level, which may lead to more individualistic-oriented, and less cooperative behavior, and reduced focus on team goals and interpersonal cues (Driskell et al., 1999). “

Take your weekly meeting on a walk and get out of the office or behind the desk. Empower your team to have stress outlets like puzzles, painting, music, and yoga readily available in their office to take mental breaks.

According to HSE “Talking Toolkit Preventing work-related stress” extract from the document.?? 1??“Help employees to have a say over the way their work is organised and undertaken through project meetings, one-to-ones and performance reviews. 2??? Hold regular discussion forums during the planning stage of new work to talk about the anticipated methods of working. 3??? Allocate responsibility to teams rather than individuals to take projects forward. 4??? Allow employees some control over the pace of their work.” All credit belongs to HSE ??

According to HSE ( Talking Toolkit Preventing work-related stress) Practical Tips ?? “Have an agreement with employees and senior leaders on which behaviours are unacceptable. ? Encourage good communication and provide training to help, such as listening skills, confidence building and assertiveness. ? Encourage and provide opportunities for employees to socialise together. ? Make sure that you are providing the same level of support and communications for employees who work in isolation like lone workers or those in separate locations. ? Find ways to celebrate success.” All credit belongs to HSE ??