Mental Health UK’s 2025 report showed that the number of people aged 18-24, 35-44 and 25-34 who had to take time off due to stress-related poor mental health increased from last year. This is a sign that there has been a breakdown of trust between employers, and young workers. It also shows the need for action to combat workplace stress.
In line with the theme of Stress Awareness Month #Leadwithlove businesses should no more treat stress as an individuals problem, but as a challenge that can make or destroy organisations. Beth Hope, ICF PCC Executive Coach and Writer, said that stress can affect and shape an organisation, and if handled incorrectly can derail the best laid plans.
For business leaders, unhappy or stressed employees will eventually leave. In the meantime, disengaged workers will cost businesses precious time through lost productivity. Stress can affect an individual’s personal life, including their energy level, relationships and social life outside of work.
The good news is improving your mental health and confidence levels does not have to take a lot of time or be complicated. Simple, science-based techniques can make a big difference in your emotions and performance.
Beth explains how deliberate pauses can help you find clarity and focus in the chaos of the workplace.
Working with demanding clients, or in volatile markets, can lead to rapid decisions and high stakes outcomes. This only intensifies the stress. We forget to pause and focus on the task rather than taking rapid actions.
Take a minute to breathe. It’s one of the easiest and simplest ways to reduce stress, calm down your nervous system, improve focus, in less than 60 seconds. Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic system, which is the body’s “brake pedal”. It slows your heart rate and reduces blood pressure.
By taking time to stop, think and reflect, people can better understand their task, regulate their emotions and return to a healthy base, and improve the productivity of the business.
Beth says, “In our quest to exude confident, we search for techniques that help us harness our power. It is possible to put employees in situations where they are required to have the confidence to perform a task, such as public speaking or presenting.
However, being confident is not just a mental state, but also how you present yourself physically. Although it may seem strange at first to power pose, this can increase subjective confidence and testosterone, which is linked with assertiveness. It also reduces cortisol. Standing in a wide-open posture with shoulders back and feet hip-width, your chest out, can help you feel more confident.
Business leaders can create opportunities for employees to feel empowered and confident. It is possible that workplaces unintentionally enclose people with predetermined expectations. However, asking employees to take part in the decision making process when appropriate will help them feel valued and reminded of their importance. The design of spaces that allow people to shape their work in accordance with the business’s path can help create meaningful connections and make them feel heard.
Beth concludes that ‘today’s workplace requires us to all bring our A-game but small changes both individually and in the business can create lasting change. Stress thrives in the midst tension, conflict and division. It’s time to approach this issue with compassion and kindness. I challenge you to make small changes this month to help create a ripple effect that will boost your confidence, resilience and mental clarity.
The first time this post appeared was on Human Resources News.
