In a time when so much is uncertain, effective mechanisms for coping with stress are of paramount importance
After all, the latest stress statistics show that between 60% and 80% of workplace accidents happen as a consequence of stress-related issues.
So, how can managers minimize the feelings of fear and anxiety within their organisations? Is it possible to come up with productive mechanisms to cope with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Best Management Methods and Strategies
Here are some of the best practices that can keep your employees happy and healthy during these stressful times.
1. Make Sure Your Employees Are Not Overworked
Healthcare workers are on the front line when it comes to battling against the coronavirus pandemic. These people have a tremendous burden to carry during these trying times.
Thus, healthcare managers need to make sure that their staff is not overworked. Burnout can also harm mental health. So, a well-organised weekly schedule is a must!
2. Provide the Necessary Safety Equipment
If you want to keep your employees healthy during the pandemic, they need to have access to the necessary PPE equipment at all times.
In other words, managers should invest plenty of time in dealing with suppliers and making sure that the equipment arrives on time. Only a well-protected worker is a happy worker, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Promote Self-Care Activities
At the same time, your teammates must remain in high spirits, without falling into a depression. For that reason, managers should encourage self-care activities, as well as team building.
Of course, everyone should follow the physical distancing rules, but your staff could take part in various online group games. Likewise, breathing sessions or group bike rides can lower cortisol levels and prevent anxiety from taking over your employees’ lives.
4. Prepare Healthy Meals
As we all know, the immune system plays a crucial role in defending us against diseases. Well, the same goes for the novel coronavirus. Thus, you should apply all sorts of methods to maintain a strong immune system.
For instance, managers should reinforce healthy eating as a method of keeping their employees happy and energised. Add nutritious foods to the menu and provide plenty of fruit and veggies. Your staff will thank you for it.
5. Provide Guidance and Counselling
Last but not least, we should mention the importance of proper coaching in these challenging times. The crippling side effects of stress are not invincible, and counselling can do wonders for mental health.
For example, several managers in prominent hospitals have provided virtual therapy sessions for their employees. By doing so, the management was able to kill two birds with one stone.
They provided their workers with much-needed guidance and assistance, but they also managed to boost productivity by keeping their psychiatrists and therapists busy.
Final Thoughts
As the fight with the devastation caused by COVID-19 continues, it is essential to keep our colleagues and employees as happy as possible. For that reason, managers should increase their efforts in coming up with stress-management practices.
Nonetheless, we should also remember that pandemic-induced situations are a novelty for everyone. So, managers will need to think outside of the box if they want to maintain high levels of happiness among their employees.
Author: Dusan Golijic, HealthCareers
Photo Credits: Brooke Cagle at Unsplash
