Employee Wellbeing
Understanding Workplace Stress
In the UK, workplace stress is a significant issue. Approximately 828,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2021/22, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The primary causes include high workloads, tight deadlines, lack of support, bullying, and changes at work. These stressors can be especially pronounced in industries like education, healthcare, social work, and public administration, where the demands are particularly high.
Women tend to report higher levels of workplace stress compared to men, often due to balancing work and family responsibilities and experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment. Younger workers, particularly those aged 25-34, also report higher levels of stress, likely due to career uncertainty, job insecurity, and the pressures of establishing themselves professionally.
Workplace stress manifests in various ways, including physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension, and emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and depression. Behavioural signs include increased absenteeism, decreased motivation, and lower productivity. Stress can negatively impact co-workers by creating a tense or hostile work environment, leading to increased conflicts and decreased team cohesion.
The Impact of Stress on Productivity and Health
When an employee is stressed, their productivity often declines. They may struggle with concentration, decision-making, and completing tasks efficiently.
This can lead to errors, reduced quality of work, and increased absenteeism, all of which negatively impact overall workplace performance and productivity. In the UK, stress, depression, and anxiety accounted for 17.9 million working days lost in 2019/20, representing a significant portion of overall workplace absences.
Long-term workplace stress can lead to chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. It can also weaken the immune system, increase the risk of substance abuse, and negatively impact overall well-being and quality of life. Workplace stress costs the UK economy an estimated £5 billion annually, including lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher staff turnover. These costs also encompass healthcare expenses and the financial impact on businesses from reduced performance and efficiency.
Employers face numerous risks if their employees become stressed, including decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, increased staff turnover, and potential legal claims related to workplace health and safety. Stress can also damage workplace morale and reputation, leading to difficulties in recruiting and retaining talent.
The Challenges of Reporting Stress
Many employees do not feel comfortable reporting stress due to fears of being perceived as weak, concerns about job security, or potential negative impacts on their career progression.
This reluctance can prevent them from seeking necessary support and exacerbate their stress. People may feel uncomfortable reporting stress due to stigma associated with mental health issues, fear of discrimination, worries about confidentiality, and concerns that their stress will be viewed as a sign of incompetence or lack of resilience.
Companies often implement stress mitigation measures such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs), mental health workshops, flexible working arrangements, stress management training, and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Providing access to counselling services, encouraging regular breaks, and creating a supportive work environment are also common practices. The effectiveness of these measures varies, but they can significantly reduce stress when properly implemented. Success depends on consistent management support, employee engagement, and the overall integration of stress-reduction strategies into company policies and culture.
Company culture plays a crucial role in workplace stress levels. A positive culture that promotes open communication, support, recognition, and work-life balance can reduce stress. Conversely, a toxic culture with unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and poor management practices can exacerbate stress, leading to higher absenteeism, turnover, and decreased productivity.
How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help
Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a powerful way to alleviate workplace stress by concentrating on positive outcomes and future goals.
Rather than dwelling on the reasons behind your stress, this approach helps you visualise and work towards how you want to feel. By focusing on what you can achieve, we shift the emphasis from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered, enabling you to take proactive steps toward better mental health and workplace productivity.
During our sessions, I will guide you into a deeply relaxed state through hypnosis, making your mind more open to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking. This relaxation helps break the cycle of negative thought patterns often linked with workplace stress. By replacing these patterns with positive, solution-focused thinking, you can build better coping strategies and improve your ability to handle work-related pressures.
Stress and anxiety in the workplace often manifest as physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and stomach issues, as well as emotional symptoms such as irritability and difficulty concentrating. Solution-focused hypnotherapy addresses these symptoms by promoting deep relaxation. This not only calms the body but also helps relax the mind, leading to a significant reduction in overall anxiety levels and improving your ability to function effectively at work.
Rediscovering Inner Strengths and Resources
One of the key elements of solution-focused hypnotherapy is rediscovering your inner resources and strengths.
Together, we will identify and build on these strengths to create effective coping mechanisms. By visualising a future where you have overcome your stress, we set clear goals and empower you to manage workplace challenges with confidence, ultimately enhancing your productivity and job satisfaction.
Workplace stress can lead to decreased concentration, impaired decision-making, and reduced productivity. Through solution-focused hypnotherapy, we address these issues by fostering a positive mindset and focusing on achievable goals. This therapy helps you regain control, improve focus, and make better decisions, all of which contribute to a more productive and fulfilling work experience.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a tailored approach to managing workplace stress. Each session is customised to address your specific needs and goals, ensuring that the therapy is relevant and effective for you. By targeting the unique ways stress impacts you, we can develop strategies that are more likely to result in lasting change and improved well-being.
Quick Relief and Long-Term Benefits
Anxiety and stress often stem from the anticipation of future events or the pressure of current tasks.
Through solution-focused hypnotherapy, we work on shifting your focus from these anxieties to positive outcomes and achievable goals. This forward-looking approach helps reduce feelings of fear and uncertainty, allowing you to approach your work with a clearer and calmer mind.
The process of solution-focused hypnotherapy is designed to be relatively quick, often leading to positive changes in a short period. This can be particularly encouraging if you're looking for prompt relief from workplace stress. By experiencing these quick wins, you build momentum and confidence in your ability to manage stress effectively, enhancing your overall job performance.
Company culture and workplace environment play significant roles in employee stress levels. Through solution-focused hypnotherapy, we can develop strategies to help you navigate and influence these factors positively. By fostering a more supportive and less stressful work environment, you can enhance your well-being and productivity, benefiting both yourself and your colleagues.
Supporting Acute Cases
If you are struggling with severe anxiety or other mental health issues, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, such as your GP, alongside our hypnotherapy sessions.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy can be an effective complement to other treatments, providing you with additional tools and perspectives to overcome workplace stress and improve your mental health and well-being.
Tailored Support for Individuals and Teams
Working with your company to reduce workplace stress can be approached in two main ways: assisting individuals and supporting teams.
For Individuals
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I help individuals who lack confidence and self-esteem in their work responsibilities. Through solution-focused hypnotherapy, I guide them in identifying and overcoming these barriers, leading to enhanced performance and job satisfaction. This approach is particularly beneficial for those needing help to develop leadership potential and skills, especially if they manage others and feel inadequate. By improving motivation and supporting their personal goals, I empower individuals to achieve desired changes without counselling or mind programming.
For ambitious individuals aiming to up their game, make a positive impression, get promoted, impress investors, deliver a compelling business pitch, or excel in public speaking, this approach is particularly effective. The goal is to help them perform at their best and reach their career aspirations.
For those on a Performance Improvement Plan, my sessions offer support and practical strategies to achieve specific results. The focus is on desired changes that the employee identifies and wants to see, fostering a sense of ownership and motivation.
One-to-one sessions are held online via Zoom or in person at my clinic in Altrincham, with both methods being equally effective. My fee per session is £65 or £450 for a block of 8 sessions with full advance payment.
For Teams
​These sessions are designed with your company values and mission in mind, ensuring alignment with your team's goals. By addressing and overcoming negative feelings that hinder progress, such as low confidence, low self-esteem, and anxiety, these sessions foster a positive and cohesive team dynamic.
We also focus on boosting confidence in the team’s knowledge of their product or service. By addressing common obstacles, I help teams develop a stronger sense of unity and purpose. This approach not only reduces workplace stress but also enhances overall team performance and productivity, leading to a more harmonious and effective work environment.
For teams, I offer regular group hypnotherapy sessions, typically held weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, at your premises, either before or at the end of a working day, or during a lunch hour. Limited to a maximum of 10 staff attendees, my fee per session is £195 or £1,400 for a block of 8 sessions with full advance payment.
Let’s work together to transform your workplace into a more supportive, productive, and stress-free environment.