10 Ways the CEO Can Reduce Office Stress

The office has the potential to be one of the most stressful places a person will ever encounter. Staff must handle looming deadlines as well as contend with office politics, technology meltdowns and the shifting moods of their colleagues. Add to that the personal doubts and fears of failure that individuals can experience. It’s no wonder that job stress is a risk factor for heart disease and many other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the British Medical Journal. Luckily, as the CEO, you’re in a unique position to reduce the level of stress that effects the office environment. Inc.com Senior Editor Nicole Marie Richardson talked with Elizabeth Scott, a wellness coach and About.com stress management expert about ways to minimize job stress. Here’s how to create a Zen office without calling in the yoga masters. How a CEO can Reduce Office Stress: Beautify the Surroundings A dark, disheveled office can ruin an employee’s mood the second he or she walks through the door. Similarly, harsh overhead lighting and sterile cubicles with stark furniture can have the same effect. Bare offices allow noise to bounce around the walls and noise pollution is a huge stressor in the workplace, says Scott. Making adjustments to lighting, temperature, noise level and other controllable factors can go along way toward lightening the mood, says Scott. “I know it sounds New Age, but hiring a Feng Shui expert can bring in lots of positive energy,” she says. If Feng Shui isn’t your cup of tea, the simple step of adding living plants to your environment cleans the air and makes the office feel more like home. Office clutter, such as boxes stacked against the walls and desks with papers or files stacked to ceiling, can also affect mood and productivity. It’s important to get your office organized whether that means purchasing extra storage or encouraging employees to clear their desks. Keeping bathrooms clean and smelling fresh is another factor and it sure doesn’t hurt to use air fresheners to administer a little aroma therapy. “Studies have found that the smell of peppermint wakes up the brain and makes the brain more alert,” Scott points out. “It’s a great natural way to wake people up.” How a CEO can Reduce Office Stress: Encourage Frequent Breaks Many employees consumed by looming deadlines may unwittingly skip lunch or even defer bathroom breaks to get the job done. This behavior may seem like it’s great for productivity, but in fact, it can increase the chances of burnout, not to mention bad health. As the CEO, it’s important that you take small steps to avoid mental meltdowns. “Ordering lunch for employees every once in awhile or providing snacks can go along way in stress management,” says Scott. Take it a step further by hosting lunch-break programs on communication skills, time management and stress management. “These lunchtime workshops promote healthy behaviors and have been proven to make people healthier,” insist Scott. It’s also important, she says, to put the message out there [...]