Wie wirkt sich Stress auf die Arbeitsproduktivität aus?
The relationship between stress and work productivity is a complex one. People usually say that “a little bit of stress is good for you”, but they’re probably referring to the concept of challenge, which is often confused with stress.
Challenge energizes us psychologically and physically, and it motivates us to learn new skills and perform at our best. Thus, it’s an important ingredient for healthy and productive work.
Andererseits kann Stress das Gegenteil bewirken und zu einer geringeren Produktivität und negativen Auswirkungen auf die körperliche und geistige Gesundheit führen. In diesem Artikel finden wir heraus, warum.
What is stress?
Nach Angaben der Weltgesundheitsorganisation ist Stress die Unfähigkeit, mit den an uns gestellten Anforderungen fertig zu werden.
Diese Anforderungen können verschiedene Ursachen haben, z. B. Arbeit, persönliche Beziehungen, finanzielle Probleme und gesundheitliche Probleme.
Wenn wir uns von diesen Anforderungen überfordert fühlen, reagieren unser Körper und unser Geist mit einer "Kampf- oder Flucht"-Reaktion, bei der Stresshormone wie Cortisol ausgeschüttet werden.
While this response can be helpful in some situations where we need to respond quickly to a threat, chronic stress can have negative effects on the body and mind.
Chronic stress has been linked to a range of physical health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
But how does stress affect work productivity specifically? In this article, we’ll find out once and for all how high stress affects employee productivity.
Read also: How to get organized at work when overwhelmed.
Wie wirkt sich Stress auf die Arbeitsproduktivität aus?
We’re sure you’ve noticed that when you’re feeling stressed, you find it much harder to concentrate on your work. Your mind seems to travel to your worries; before you know it, hours have passed, and you’ve achieved nothing.
When we are under stress, our bodies and minds focus on coping with the stressor rather than on the task at hand. According to CAMH, this can lead to decreased concentration, memory problems, and difficulty making decisions. In turn, these cognitive difficulties can lead to decreased productivity and a decline in the quality of work.
Research has also shown that stress can lead to absenteeism and presenteeism, when an employee is present at work but not fully functional due to stress or other health issues.
In addition, stress can lead to negative changes in behavior and interpersonal relationships, which can further impact work productivity.
When we are under stress, we may be more likely to engage in conflicts with coworkers or to have a negative attitude, leading to a decrease in team cohesion and productivity.
For all the above reasons, stress negatively affects work productivity. The research Workplace Stress and Productivity: A Cross-Sectional Study shows that higher stress scores are significantly associated with lower productivity scores and work satisfaction.
How to avoid work-related stress to improve your team’s productivity?
So, how can we manage stress in the workplace to improve productivity? Here are a few effective strategies.
Create an atmosphere of open communication
Creating an open and supportive work environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their stress can help prevent burnout and improve team dynamics. Building an amazing communication culture is key to relationship building within the team and overall productivity.
Promote work-life balance
Encouraging employees to take breaks, unplug from work outside work hours, and prioritize their personal lives can help prevent burnout and improve productivity.
It’s also an excellent way to show your employees that you are a human leader who understands that there’s life beyond work, which will improve their satisfaction levels.
Promote physical activity and healthy habits
Encouraging employees to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to improve work productivity.
Es hat sich gezeigt, dass regelmäßiger Sport das Stressniveau senkt, die Stimmung verbessert und das Energieniveau erhöht. Warum nicht eine Fußballliga gründen, der jeder Mitarbeiter beitreten kann?
Durchführung von Schulungen zur Stressbewältigung
Ein Training zur Stressbewältigung kann den Mitarbeitern helfen, Bewältigungsstrategien und Techniken zu erlernen, um ihren Stress besser zu bewältigen.
Dazu können Achtsamkeitstraining, Zeitmanagement und Entspannungstechniken gehören.
Unterstützend sein
Stelle Zugang zu Unterstützungsdiensten bereit, wie z.B. Beratung oder Mitarbeiterhilfeprogramme, und hilf den Mitarbeitenden, ihren Stress zu bewältigen und ihr allgemeines Wohlbefinden zu verbessern.
Ermutige sie, zuerst zu dir zu kommen, wenn sie das Gefühl haben, dass Arbeitsstress ihre mentale Gesundheit und Produktivität beeinträchtigt.
Proper workload management
According to Asana, 70% of employees experienced burnout last year.
Good workload management helps lower stress levels and contributes to employee motivation and well-being, which significantly affects results. Research from ISCRR shows that proper workload management results in higher productivity and better project management.
Read also: Why a workload analysis is important?
Mache regelmäßig Pausen
Taking breaks throughout the workday can also be beneficial for managing stress. It’s also a basic tip for increasing productivity.
Taking a few minutes to step away from the desk and engage in a relaxing activity, such as stretching or taking a short walk, can help to clear the mind and recharge the batteries. This will help you be more productive and improve work quality.
You can use these strategies to manage stress and improve work productivity.
Remember, there is no magic formula that works for everyone but leaders and organizations have an essential role in managing stress and improving work productivity by creating a positive work culture and providing employee support.
Fazit
Stress is a common and inevitable part of life, but when it becomes chronic and unmanaged, it can harm work productivity.
Stress can lead to decreased concentration, memory problems, and negative changes in behavior and interpersonal relationships.
By prioritizing work tasks, taking breaks, incorporating physical activity, and focusing on work-life balance, individuals can effectively reduce stress and improve productivity for both individuals and organizations.
FAQ
Wie wirkt sich Multitasking auf die Produktivität der Mitarbeiter aus?
Productivity is generally reduced when employees multitask because they cannot focus entirely on one task and must divide their attention among multiple tasks, leading to errors, decreased efficiency, and lower overall work performance.
TIP: To avoid lower overall work performance, learn how to track team performance.
Wie wirkt sich die Teamarbeit auf die Produktivität aus?
Teamwork can positively affect productivity by allowing team members to collaborate, share resources, and divide labor, leading to increased efficiency, innovation, and achievement of common goals.
Wie wirkt sich Home Office auf die Produktivität aus?
In general, remote working causes an increase in productivity as well as clear benefits for workers on a personal level. Happy workers have higher productivity rates, are better teammates, and tend to stay longer in companies that allow remote working.
Wie kann man Mitarbeiter motivieren, produktiver zu sein?
To motivate employees to be more productive, managers and leaders can use various methods such as setting clear work goals and expectations, promoting work-life balance, and fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.