Stress isn’t just bothersome; it can also affect productivity and safety. It leads to poor decision-making, reduced creativity, mental exhaustion and physical burnout. To protect yourself, your crew and your work, you should take steps to avoid and reduce job site stress.

Lavender

Ok, hear me out. I know it sounds silly but it works. Science says so.

Whether you provide lavender tea, use air freshener spray or hang fresh bunches around the site, it’s scientifically proven to help with stress relief and relaxation. Again, I know it might feel weird or silly or unmanly, but if it can help with stress on site, then you shouldn’t let that stop you.

Manage expectations

Having reasonable expectations for both yourself and your crew is critical to managing stress. Stress stems from demanding or uncomfortable circumstances. Such circumstances are easily preventable by managing expectations. Both time and quality expectations can be set at a reasonable standard to motivate workers without causing anxiety.

Don’t give your newest guy a complicated task and expect everything to go perfectly. Provide support, mentoring and guidance to rookies and veterans alike, so that everyone understands what’s expected of them and know where to turn if something goes awry.

Positivity and Motivation

Stress is only negative if you let it be. If you decide, instead of letting stress drag you down, you can use it as a motivator. Stress can make you more alert. Stress can motivate you to find solutions in order to relieve the stress.

Use stress on site to your benefit. If someone is feeling stressed, motivate them to finish the task by pointing out how close they are or that they get to go home or on break as soon as they are done. Encourage them, instead of adding to their worries.

Variety is the spice of life

Monotony leads to boredom, stress and eventually, mistakes, either due to distraction or lack of interest. In order to avoid monotony, rotate your workers among tasks or even jobsites to keep them fresh, sharp and interested.

Breaks

No matter how behind you are, breaks are vital and can actually save you time. Rushing through tasks in a great way to mess up and cause delays and this is even more the case as stress increases. If you notice that you or your workers are getting frustrated, stressed or dragged down, it may be time to take a break. (Now might be a good time for that lavender tea!)

Organization

Things being orderly and organized will always help to reduce stress and mess ups. Keep the site clean and free from clutter so you can work efficiently. Spending a bit of time once or twice a day to keep the site orderly can reduce stress than come from the need to search for misplaced items or falling behind because of it. A clean and neat work area is better for safety and stress management.