Managing Your Stress
We hear a lot about stress, but what is it really? A
great deal of research has been conducted on stress over the last
hundred years. Some of the early research (conducted by Walter Cannon
in 1932) established the existence of the well-known ‘fight or flight’
response to unexpected events. In humans, hormones increase our heart
rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to our
muscles. As we’ve evolved, these reactions aren't limited to
life-threatening events – we experience stress any time we come across
something unexpected or something that frustrates our goals.
Workplace stress, which has become a common issue for most employees and employers, arises when there is a conflict between job demands on the employees and the amount of control an employee has over meeting those demands. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, employees who start to feel the ‘pressure to perform’ can get caught in a downward spiral of increasing effort to meet rising expectations with no increase in job satisfaction. The relentless requirement to work at optimum performance takes its toll, and lack of motivation or creativity are all by-products of an overstressed workplace.
As a responsible manger of a flower shop, you have to be aware of your own stress levels and those of your employees. Some stress is normal and can help energize and motivate us to meet our daily challenges. Take Valentine’s Day for example: Flower shops across Canada are buzzing with business, and if you’re organized, then a little stress will help keep everyone on their toes. But if you're not prepared, then watch out! If you and your staff get ‘stressed-out’ it will affect the morale of your shop and the success of your business.
Luckily, there are usually a number of warning signs that help indicate when you and your staff are having trouble coping with stress before any symptoms become permanent. Physical signs of stress include headaches, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, indigestion, fatigue, and frequent illness. Psychosocial signs include anxiety, irritability, defensiveness, anger, mood swings, depression, and hypersensitivity. Behavioral signs include impatience, quickness to argue, procrastination, withdrawal or isolation from others, neglect or responsibility, and poor job performance. If you notice one of your employees who is normally happy and positive becoming impatient and irritable, take a moment to ask them if something's bothering them. They may just be having a bad day or perhaps there is something brewing. Whatever the problem may be, showing them that you're concerned will let them know you care – it’s a win-win situation.
Since the causes of workplace stress vary greatly, the strategies in dealing with overstressed employees will also vary, but there are a few simple things you can do to help maintain the good mental health of your staff. Laughing is one of the easiest and best ways to reduce stress. Share a joke with your employees and try to see the humour in every stressful situation. Learn to relax and take several deep breaths throughout the day. Try organizing regular stretch breaks with your staff – stretching is simple enough to do and only takes a few seconds. Your staff might even get a giggle as they reach for the ceiling to work the kinks out. Showing your employees that you care about their well-being will go a long way in their overall satisfaction with you as an employer and with their job in general.
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