Workplace Stress and Improving the Bottom Line

Living Unlimited Inc.Terrie StickleLauren Rowe

Workplace Stress: A Major Impact

The 2000 annual "Attitudes In The American Workplace VI" Gallup Poll sponsored by the Marlin Company found that: 80% of workers feel stress on the job nearly half say they need help in learning how to

manage stress and 42% say their coworkers need such help

In a study by the American Psychological Association More than 1/3 stated they are typically stressed out

during the work day. 20% stated they had high daily levels of stress,

rated 8-10 on a 10 point scale.

The Bottom Line

Stress Costs U.S. Companies$150-300 Billion Dollars on an annual basis!!

Factors in these estimates include: Sick Days Medical Costs Legal Fees Decreased Productivity Insurance Costs Workers’ Compensation Costs Long Term Disability Turnover

Warning Signs for Stress

Headache Sleep Disturbance Short Temper Physical Illness or Manifestations Difficulty Concentrating Low Morale Job Dissatisfaction

Warning Signs and the Bottom Line

Headache Sick Days

Sleep Disturbance Low Productivity Accidents

Short Temper Low Productivity Effecting other employees productivity Taking time away from management/growth plans Legal Costs

Physical Illness or Manifestations Sick Days Medical Costs

Difficulty Concentrating Low Productivity Accidents

Low Morale Low Productivity

Job Dissatisfaction Turnover

Wellness ProgramsWhat are they?

Encourages healthy living to lower health care costs

Discounts in Insurance or Rewards for Participation for the Employee and Employer

Aiding in: Diet Exercise Smoking Cessation Stress Management

Counseling/Employee Assistance Programs

Wellness ProgramsWhat can they do?

Decreasing Sick Days Decreasing Medical Costs Increasing Job Satisfaction Increasing Job Retention Healthier, Happier Employees

means more Productive Employees!

Stress relief resources and Insurance Companies

Capital Blue Cross - iCanRelax People work with a coach on their own schedule and receive a workbook, relaxation CD, and stress relieving.

Aetna – Mindfulness at Work and Viniyoga Stress Reductionmeditation and therapeutic yoga

Humana – Personal Health CoachingStress management with goals and action plans for each individual

What you are noticing

35% of respondents from our survey are definitely offered stress management

Those that were offered stress management have either not noticed any improvements(50%) or have noticed some improvements(50%) in the workplace

No one reported noticing a great deal of improvements.

What are your stressors?

Biggest Causes as reported by you: Change Increased Workload Company Expectations Lack of Communication Conflict Team Dynamics Support/Lack of Support Need for Personal/Self Care

Music Therapy and Wellness

What is it and how can it encourage wellness and stress relief?

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

American Music Therapy

Association

Uses of Music Therapy

Promote Wellness Manage Stress Alleviate Pain Express Feelings Enhance Memory Improve Communication Promote Physical Rehabilitation

Music Therapy for Wellness

Music Therapy can be used to: Address the needs of individuals and groups Promote team building

Increased Communication Develop Support Systems Awareness of Roles

Improve mood Cope and adapt to change Increase relaxation Increase awareness and coping skills

Self – stressors, triggers, body awareness Others – group understanding

Music Therapy and Wellness

The music therapist would work with the company or group to: Determine and Assess Needs Develop Group Goals/Objective and Desired

Outcomes What are the most important areas for the

group to work on? Determine Treatment Approach

Small/Large Group or Individual? What techniques would best assist the group

in reaching goals?

Music Therapy for Wellness

Activities could include but are not limited to: Music Assisted Relaxation Drumming/Instrument Playing Song Discussion/Lyric Analysis Music Sharing/Listening Instrumental Improvisation Singing Songwriting

Companies that use Music in Wellness Programs

Toyota Headquarters has a drumming room Stress relief Group activities

Rhythm for Good, a Music Therapy company from California works with: Red Cross of Southern California Qualcomm

Develops activities for day retreats Focus on wellness and group cohesiveness

Tips to Manage Workplace StressMusical

Use music in the car as a buffer between work and home

Choose music to help you Focus on a task Relax Make a difficult task more enjoyable

Sing to encourage breathing and relaxation

Tips to Manage Workplace StressNon-Musical

Organize your day and your desk Do a self check – Be aware of your stressors and

your body Take time to stretch Ask yourself, Am I clearly communicating my

point? Take time for yourself Set reasonable standards for yourself and for

others Join a gym to be a buffer between work and home Breathe!

Discussion and Questions

How does your company encourage wellness?What do you feel could improve or change?

How do you use music individually for stress?How do you feel music therapy could be

incorporated into wellness programs?

Other thoughts and questions

Resources

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/phwa-survey-summary.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/ http://workplacepsychology.net/2011/01/09/the-tr

ue-financial-cost-of-job-stress/ http://www.musictherapy.org/ 2000 annual "Attitudes In The American

Workplace VI" Gallup Poll sponsored by the Marlin Company

Kat Fulton and http://www.rhythmforgood.com/