Here are five suggestions to help reduce stress in the workplace:

• Communication pt. I

One of the biggest causes of stress in the work place is a lack of communication. The old cliché, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link” is a common place phrase for a reason. In a team environment, it only takes one anti team player to throw the office synchronicity off track. Try talking to people if you feel like they’re making everyone’s lives difficult. Biting your tongue helps nobody if the work output is being affected.

• Communication pt. II

The M word gets thrown around a lot at work, more as a fear tactic than anything else. Office Manager, Line Manager, General Manager, even Managing Director. Usually the people in the building that everyone tries to keep the sweetest. But a terrified workforce isn’t necessarily a productive one. Having an open line of communication with those in charge, not only works wonders for office productivity, but also your own personal positivity. Being able to get direct face to face feedback from your higher ups can show you where you’re going right, where you’re going wrong, and can also, on the other side of the fence, help the management team truly understand who’s working for them.

• Stop Micro managing

If you’re in charge of a team of people, keeping a healthy distance can be a game changer. Breathing down employee’s necks can make staff feel they’re not trusted with their work, and also make them feel you have a personal vendetta against them, which instantly stumps people’s work output. Setting up systems in which managers can discuss current issues with their staff, perhaps a team meeting once a week, not only takes the daily stress off of you, but also allows your staff to breathe easier, creating a healthier more successful work environment.

• Access

Time is money in every work place, and the amount of hours wasted on crossed wires or lost files can soon mount up. Rather than locking important items away, keep them in a public, easy to access place to ensure everyone’s day runs smooth. This also means staff aren’t making unnecessary phone calls to different to departments to find forms, stationary and other work place items. Things like plastic boxes for daily forms like sign in sheets, health and safety forms or even holiday requests, can save hours of productivity when added up.

• Breathe

On paper, it may seem productive to power through your work straight for 10 hours, and go home to relax at the end of it, but this simply isn’t the case. Your productivity levels won’t last straight through the day, no matter how dedicated you are. Remember not only to take lunch breaks while in work, but also to take a rest roughly every 90 minutes. Even if it’s just stepping outside for two minutes to grab a breath of fresh air or wandering to the water cooler to gather your thoughts. A well needed break is essential to creating your best work output.