How to Relieve Stress in the Office

Stress Relief Activities and Ideas in the Office

With the end of the year approaching, we have lots to look forward to. Holiday parties, time with family, and exciting gifts can be enough to get us through the workday. But for many industries, the promise of the coming holiday celebrations isn’t enough to distract from the increasing business that comes with Q4. End-of-the-Year deadlines combined with the colder weather and lack of sunlight can cause stress and anxiety to increase exponentially.

But there are lots of ways to alleviate built-up stress and anxiety in the office. Whether you’re a manager looking to support your team’s mental wellness or an executive team member who wants to build a healthy atmosphere for your whole company, below is a list of ways to help employees relieve stress. These ideas can be implemented both in the office and remotely for your WFH and hybrid employees!

Encourage Breaks During the Day

When daily workloads increase and deadlines loom, it’s easy for employees to get tunnel vision. Sitting at your desk and focusing for too long can cause stress to build, so encourage employees to step away from their screens! Welcome the practice of taking workday breaks to stop, stand up, walk around, and chat with others. One great way to encourage healthy brain breaks is to take them yourself as a manager or leader! If your employees see you taking breaks, they’ll feel more comfortable pausing during the day, too. 

Reduce Meetings

One of the reasons employees can feel so stressed during Q4 is because they feel crunched for time. To alleviate this feeling, avoid scheduling unnecessary meetings. Look for meetings on your calendar that could be postponed until the new year. There may also be recurring check-ins that could be paused during the busy season. It’s also good to remember that some people find meetings stressful no matter how informal or relaxed they might be. Unnecessary meetings can eat up time, interrupt focus, and cause unnecessary anxiety, so give your employees a bit of a break during Q4.

Set Up A Tea Bar

Did you know that drinking tea can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone? Consider setting up a tea station in your office! Herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and peppermint can ease stress. Invite everyone to bring their favorite mugs, or, give your employees custom mugs with your company’s logo! Set up a tea bar so your employees can relieve stress even while working.

Bring in a Meditation Expert

Meditation can help lower stress and build resilience. Many CEOs have turned to meditation to manage their emotions and anxiety levels, and they want to share the many benefits with their employees. Invite a professional to visit your office to teach you and your team how to implement meditation into your daily lives. Meditation can be practiced in the morning, after the day is over, or even sitting at your desk. It’s easy and free, and it can help your employees deal with the stress of Q4.

Set up an Optional Mentor Program

Stress can be an isolating feeling. Sharing about stressful problems with a coworker in a healthy environment is a great way to connect with someone else who likely understands your situation. Pairing younger or newer employees with their more experienced counterparts can be especially rewarding—it’s a great way to let newer employees ask questions and benefit from the knowledge of their more seasoned team members. 

Give Thoughtful, Stress-Leaving Gifts

The holidays are always a time of gift-giving, and you can use this opportunity to find thoughtful, stress-relieving gifts. At Merchology, we have some great ideas for stress-relieving gifts that will help ease anxiety and show your employees that their mental health and happiness matter to you!

Custom Batch & Bodega White Tea Time Batch

With ginger & turmeric tea, this custom gift set is the perfect Q4 gift. Including a custom mug, “Cup of Sunshine” herbal tea, honey straws, and lemon sugar cookies, this branded gift box makes a great break-time companion. The customized Batch & Bodega White Tea Time Batch also comes with notecards so you can send a special message of encouragement to your employees!

Logo-Printed Primeline White Cloud Stress Reliever

Add your company’s logo to this adorable desk companion to make a thoughtful handout for your busy season. The logo-printed Primeline White Cloud Stress Reliever can help ease built-up tension for your employees while they sit at their desks, whether they’re in the office or at home.

Personalized Woodwick Lavender Spa Hourglass Candle 21.5oz

Lavender is known to calm stress and anxiety. Gift a customized Woodwick Lavender Spa Hourglass Candle to your team members so they can unwind after work or stay relaxed while they work from home! This custom Woodwick candle also comes in a variety of comforting scents, including Vanilla Bean, Evening Bonfire, and Coastal Sunset, so you can find the right fit for your employees.

Contact Us at Merchology

Need more ideas for stress-relieving gifts for your employees during Q4? Reach out to a Merchologist to see our countless custom gift options! We’re here to help your company end the year on a great note!