Health experts have long warned us about the negative impacts stress can have on our health. From heart disease to anxiety, to sleep problems, to weight gain, the effects of chronic stress can be dangerous. Stress can also impair memory and concentration impairing job performance. Yet stress is unavoidable, especially in this day and age when many companies are trying to do more with less. In today’s workplace there is an inherent expectation to multitask, and the dizzying amount of work is keeping many people up at night. At Pacific Office Automation, we believe reducing stress at work leads to increased productivity and better employee morale. Here are four ways to reduce stress at work:
1. Avoid interruptions. When our brains are constantly switching gears, it is nearly impossible to concentrate and leaves us feeling frazzled. The constant ping of a text or blinking light of voicemail adds to our anxiety about all of the tasks we need to address. It can also lead to costly mistakes perpetuating higher stress levels.
2. Make technology work for you, not against you. Many of us know the classic scene in the movie “Office Space” when three disgruntled corporate employees take a baseball bat to an out-of-order printer. Though few of us would take our aggression that far, we can relate to the frustration of being sidelined because a printer is out of ink or the computer crashed right before we hit the “save” button. Invest in high-quality machinery that function well and don’t need frequent intervention.
3. Stay organized. It’s undeniably frustrating when you cannot locate important documents. The time wasted searching for documents and the stress if they are lost are enough to send your adrenaline into overdrive, especially if you are on a tight deadline. Document management systems enable employees to locate, edit, and share documents quickly.
4. Be focused in your work, but take a break every once in a while. Studies have shown our minds need a breather in order to perform better. Stress relievers include stepping outside for a walk, taking a lunch break or setting aside a few minutes to socialize with your co-workers. You will return to your work refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.
At Pacific Office Automation, we want our clients to be as productive as possible. We provide workflow solutions, document management systems, and best-in-class multifunction printers to improve workflow processes and reduce interruptions. Contact us today to find out how we can help reduce stress at your work.