Okay, okay, we can’t give puppies all the credit here. It’s actually baby animals in general! A research study has proven that looking at pictures of baby animals, largely puppies and kittens, has dramatic effects on an individual.
These effects include: improved mood, concentration, attention to detail, increased compassion, lower blood pressure, and the biggest effect is REDUCING STRESS. In today’s world, where stress is linked to the six leading causes of death, we need to be proactive in managing it.
The American Psychological Association states initial signs of chronic stress may include feeling “fatigued, unable to concentrate or irritable for no good reason”.
How does this relate to the workplace and safety?
The American Institute of Stress (AIM) reported:
40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful
25% view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives
Three fourths of employees believe that workers have more on-the-job stress than a generation ago
29% of workers felt quite a bit or extremely stressed at work
26 percent of workers said they were “often or very often burned out or stressed by their work”
Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or family problems
80% of workers feel stress on the job, nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress and 42% say their coworkers need such help
14% of respondents had felt like striking a coworker in the past year, but didn’t.
25% have felt like screaming or shouting because of job stress, 10% are concerned about an individual at work they fear could become violent
9% are aware of an assault or violent act in their workplace and 18% had experienced some sort of threat or verbal intimidation in the past year
Furthermore, the AIM has stated occupational stress is believed to have caused:
30% of workers suffering from back pain;
28% complaining of “stress
20% feeling fatigue
13% with headaches
and costs the U.S. industry an estimated $300 billion annually in the form of:
Accidents
Absenteeism
Employee turnover
Diminished productivity
Direct medical, legal, and insurance costs
Workers’ compensation claims
If this doesn’t answer how it relates, I don’t know what will! Bottom line is no one wins with Stress. Take a look around at your employees, coworkers, and bosses. Is the pressure they’re carrying visible? With this growing epidemic of Occupational Stress, now is the time to protect your company and your employees.
What can I do to help reduce my stress and stress in the workplace?
Stress reduction techniques can and should become apart of each workplace environment, many which can be done at any moment by the individual. Some examples include:
looking at pictures of baby animals, such as puppies or kittens
taking a deep breath
eating healthy
getting a good nights sleep
prioritization
changing your perspective
helping out a fellow coworker
implementing employee training
While it is every individuals responsibility to manage their own stress, let the workplace be a platform for open communication and proactiveness. Of course, sometimes taking a deep breath doesn’t relieve all the stress someone may be experiencing. In which case, additional measures can be sought out. The point is to recognize, be aware, and actively seek a resolution.
Be an example, a leader in stress reduction.