How Can We Plan a One-Day Stress Relief Session for Employees Without Games or Picnics?

Kindly help me with some stress buster activities/sessions to be conducted in the company as a part of employee engagement. What sessions can I plan for one day just for employees' refreshment from work? (Don't suggest games/events/picnics)

In considering stress buster activities for employees, it's important to cater to various preferences and needs. Here are some suggestions:
1. Meditation and mindfulness sessions to promote relaxation and mental clarity.
2. Yoga or stretching exercises to relieve physical tension and improve overall well-being.
3. Workshops on stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or time management strategies.
4. Wellness seminars focusing on nutrition, sleep hygiene, and healthy habits.
5. Creative sessions like art therapy or music appreciation to encourage self-expression and relaxation.
6. Nature walks or outdoor activities to provide a refreshing break from the office environment.

These activities can help employees recharge, improve their mental health, and boost overall morale in the workplace.

Dear Roselin,

Rather than just trying to alleviate stress, wouldn't it be more appropriate to focus on preventing stress altogether? However, achieving this goal would necessitate a comprehensive examination of the organization. On the other hand, resorting to organizing games to alleviate stress may provide a quick fix solution, but its effects are typically short-lived.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

We conduct sessions as a form of refreshment from work or stress relief for employees every two months, but not games and activities. I am seeking ideas on how to improve these sessions.

Stress Busters

One of the contributors to stress in the workplace is life outside work. By this, I mean that situations on the personal front are major silent stressors. As an HR professional, if you have an empathetic approach to your colleagues, you should be able to identify stressors beyond the workplace as well.

The second major contributor is an unrealistic workload at the workplace. There are two ways to look at this issue. In both cases, it is crucial to critically assess whether the stress is due to a person's inability to meet what seems to be a realistic objective or if the role itself is overloaded. Other stressors at work are also due to improper handling of change, where communication is key. The lack of communication invariably gives rise to stress.

I hope the above insights help you consider what may suit your organization. To try and reduce stress, you can work out a proposal to present to management. Conduct some studies on current stress levels and suggest introducing a few corporate support activities such as aerobics, Zumba, yoga, and music classes. Consider having a psychiatrist visit your workplace as a counselor to assist with self-management. This must be done with utmost discretion to avoid unintentionally upsetting anyone further. Additionally, you can engage in CSR programs where your employees can volunteer to help in areas of need. This can provide a sense of satisfaction that directly reduces stress.