Research published by the HR technology firm Ciphr revealed that the biggest causes of HR stress include heavy workloads, rising costs, and challenges with employee retention. Understanding these stressors is crucial for implementing effective strategies to ease overwhelm and enhance productivity. It’s also important to take a moment to manage stress in real time, which is what we’re offering here.
1. Take mindful breaks and turn notifications off
Being productive doesn't mean working non-stop. In fact, taking regular, short breaks can improve concentration levels, minimise stress, and increase productivity. You may want to reconsider how you're spending your own break times to make them more mindful. Instead of scrolling on your phone, why not spend some time in nature, check in on a friend, or have a stretching session?
Instead of completely turning your phone off, you might find it helpful to utilise the "do not disturb" feature. This way, you'll be able to silence most of your notifications but enable those you still need in case of an emergency, allowing you to stay connected without being overwhelmed by constant alerts.
2. Timebox your tasks
Timeboxing can help you stay on track with goals and ease overwhelm in the process. This means assigning specific durations, AKA "boxes," to specific tasks. While timeboxing and time blocking can both be highly effective for productivity, they're not the same.
Timeboxing means there is a maximum amount of time that can be spent on a task, e.g. one hour – these are non-negotiable limits. Time blocking, on the other hand, means organising your day by setting aside dedicated time slots to complete a task.
For example, you might allocate one hour to respond to emails and two hours to work on a project. By setting these limits, you can prevent tasks from dragging on, and ensure that you stay focused and efficient.
3. Stock up on healthy snacks
Looking after your body by snacking healthily can improve focus, leading to increased stress-free productivity levels. Nutrient-dense options such as fruit and veg, seeds, nuts and yoghurt are all brilliant for feeding the brain.
Keeping hydrated can also boost productivity, improve alertness and increase energy levels. Consider keeping a water bottle at your desk and setting reminders to drink regularly throughout the day. Additionally, incorporating herbal teas can be a soothing way to stay hydrated and reducing your caffeine intake.
4. One task at a time
Multi-tasking is almost unavoidable sometimes, given the needs and demands of colleagues, clients and other stakeholders. With balancing personal life as well, everything can quickly pile up. However, when you find you have some time to, select your next priority.
Commit to taking back control of the situation and improve workflow by managing one task at a time – see time-boxing above. As for personal priorities, have you considered supporting your colleagues and yourself with family solutions?
The other way to win time and focus is to avoid other projects that could be causing you to become distracted. It can be difficult to say "no" when there are exciting plans in the works, but by doing so, you can put your all into what's most important. Additionally, breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make them less overwhelming and easier to tackle.
5. Learn to delegate
Reduce your stress levels by learning to delegate. If you struggle with this, you may want to try using a delegation matrix. By playing to everyone's strengths and weaknesses, you can ensure you're choosing the appropriate members of your team to assist. In doing so, you can free up more time for yourself to prioritise other tasks and ease overwhelm.
Remember, delegation is not about offloading work but about distributing tasks to ensure efficiency and productivity, and development opportunities for the team. Delegation also fosters a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and trusted. It can lead to better team dynamics and improved overall performance.
6. Pencil in social time
Planning social time outside of work can help you establish boundaries by giving you a reason to finish on-time. If you know you have no social commitments or dedicated family time before or after work, then you could be more likely to get carried away by saying "yes" to working more.
By frequently working long hours and not taking breaks, you might think you're being more productive. However, you may want to assess the quality of the work you're actually producing during these times. Social time is a valuable opportunity to recharge and gain new perspectives. Engaging in activities you enjoy can boost your mood and overall wellbeing, making you more productive when you return to work.
7. Highlight company benefits and resources
This Mental Health Awareness Week, as well as taking care of yourself with the tips above, make sure your colleagues know the support available for them. Many employees may not be aware of all the benefits available to support them. Share resources such as:
- Back-up care services for those juggling work and family responsibilities.
- Newsletters, blogs, and webinars, to help employees balance their personal and professional lives.
- Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) that offer mental health support and counselling.
- Learning and development programmes to support career growth and skill-building.
These types of benefits aren’t perks. They are avenues of support and should be utilised effectively.
Recent findings
The 2025 Modern Families Index (MFI), published by Bright Horizons, provides a stark warning to organisations with almost one third of working parents surveyed reporting high or extreme levels of stress.
