Managing stress in the workplace: 5 Strategies for productive teams

Workplace stress is on the rise—and the numbers speak for themselves. According to the American Institute of Stress, nearly   83% of U.S. workers report feeling stressed by at least one aspect of their job. Additionally, it's estimated that over 1 million workers are absent each day due to stress-related conditions.

As the pace of work accelerates and boundaries between personal and professional life continue to blur, managing stress in the workplace has become not just important—but essential. Unchecked stress affects productivity, well-being, and company culture, often leading to burnout, disengagement, and high turnover.

In this blog, we explore the urgent need for effective workplace stress management and outline 5 practical, research-backed strategies to help create healthier, more focused, and more resilient teams.

Why managing stress in the workplace matters?

Stress at work is not just about feeling tired or overwhelmed. It can make it harder to focus, cause more mistakes, and lead to more sick days. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that stress at work costs businesses around  $1 trillion each year because people are not able to do their best.

Some jobs come with extra pressure. People who work in security, administration, or operations often have long hours, tight schedules, and a lot of responsibility. They need to solve problems quickly, stay alert, and talk to many people throughout the day. This kind of work can make stress build up quickly.

A study by NIOSH found that 4 out of 10 workers feel very stressed at their job, and almost 3 out of 10 feel stressed most of the time .

When stress is not managed well, people feel more tired, miss more work, and find it harder to stay motivated. This is why it is important for workplaces to support employees and help them manage stress in healthy ways.

5 strategies to manage stress in the workplace

1. Encourage open communication

Letting people speak up and share their thoughts helps reduce stress. When employees feel heard, they worry less and feel more supported. Team check-ins, anonymous surveys, and open-door policies give everyone a chance to speak honestly. 

2. Redesign workspaces for calm and focus

The way an office looks and feels can change how people feel at work. Natural light, quiet zones, and clean spaces make it easier to focus and stay calm. Simple changes—like adding plants or using noise-free areas—can help reduce stress. Smart  workplace solutions can help manage meeting room bookings and create calm, distraction-free zones.

3. Offer mental wellness tools (e.g., meditation apps, quiet rooms)

Giving employees tools to care for their mental health shows that the company cares. Things like meditation apps, wellness challenges, or a quiet room can help people take short breaks and relax during the day. 

4. Enable workload visibility with task management tools

When people know what they need to do and when to do it, they feel more in control. Task management tools help everyone stay on the same page and avoid last-minute stress. In workplace workplace dashboards, teams can see workloads clearly and plan better together.

5. Recognize and reward efforts regularly

Saying “thank you” or celebrating small wins can really boost someone’s mood. When employees feel appreciated, they feel less pressure and more motivation. Even simple things like shout-outs in team meetings or rewards for good work can go a long way.

‍Workplace stress management tools

Workplace stress management is not only about wellness programs or team check-ins—it also involves using the right tools to understand and improve the work environment. Digital technology can help track stress levels, improve how spaces are used, and give employees more control over their day.

One helpful area is scheduling tools. These allow employees to plan their day better by showing meetings, tasks, and free time in one place. When people can see their schedule clearly, they feel more prepared and less rushed.

Another useful solution is space management software. These tools show which rooms are free, which areas are crowded, and how often shared spaces are used. This helps reduce stress by making sure people have access to quiet rooms, meeting areas, or break spaces when they need them. It also avoids last-minute scrambles to find space to work or meet.

Occupancy insights are another key feature. They show how many people are in a certain area at a given time. This helps leaders understand where people might feel overwhelmed or distracted. If one space is always full and noisy, changes can be made—like opening new rooms or creating calm zones.

Together, these tools help managers spot early signs of stress and give employees more control over how they work. With better planning and smarter space use, the entire team can feel more focused, supported, and calm throughout the day. This is what makes digital tools such a powerful part of workplace stress management.

Managing workplace stress as a leader

Managing workplace stress is an important part of leadership. Security leads, facility managers, and team supervisors can make a big difference by noticing stress early and supporting their teams in the right way.

How to recognize stress signals?

Look for signs that someone may be feeling stressed:

• They seem tired or low on energy.
  
• They are quieter or less social than usual.
  
• They miss deadlines or make more mistakes
  
• They take more sick days or ask for time off.
  
• Their mood or behavior has suddenly changed.

These signs can be easy to miss, so regular check-ins are helpful.‍

‍How to build a supportive environment?

Leaders can take simple steps to create a culture of care:

• Ask how team members are doing—not just about work, but how they feel.
  
• Encourage open talks without fear of judgment.
  
• Respect break times and days off so people can recharge.
  
• Model calm behavior during stressful times to set the tone.

When people feel safe to speak up, ask for help, or share feedback, it creates psychological safety—a key part of managing workplace stress.

Why does it matters?

When leaders take action:

• Teams feel supported and perform better.
  
• Stress does not build up unnoticed.
  
• The workplace becomes healthier and more positive.

Good leadership means making sure no one feels alone in their stress—and that help is always within reach.

Conclusion 

Reducing stress at work is not just a nice-to-have—it is a must for keeping teams healthy, focused, and happy. When stress is managed well, employees can do their best work and feel more supported every day.

Leaders play a big role in this. Now is a great time to take a closer look at your workplace. Are there clear schedules? Do your teams have quiet spaces? Is there room for open conversation?

A quick check of daily routines and tools can uncover easy ways to lower stress across the board.

Connect with our   workplace experts and  explore how to create stress-free, productive workplaces for hybrid and frontline teams.