Reduce Workplace Stress With Custom Stress Balls

Last year, 3 in 5 employed Canadians experienced more workplace stress than the previous year. Although there are yet to be many statistics released for 2024, I’d bet that hasn’t changed. Canada’s unemployment rate reportedly shot up to 6.1 per cent this year, leaving many Canadians questioning their job security. It’s no question that work can have stressful days. From overwhelming workloads to high performance expectations – No matter the workplace or industry, stress will always have moments of prevalence in our working lives. But at what point does stress become too much to handle? In this article, we’ll dive into the major factors around workplace stress, ways you can help as an employer, and how custom stress balls are an easy but effective way to manage stress. Let’s get started. 

What To Know About Workplace Stress and Work-Life Balance

As work-related stress continues to fester, it can start to affect work performance, accuracy, and eventually the employee’s mental health as a whole. What’s more is that it won’t always be obvious that your employees are struggling. In fact, some may go out of their way to hide it. Consider what factors could be contributing to stress in your workplace. 

Here are some of the most common factors that contribute to workplace stress:

• Long work hours.
• Heavy workloads.
• Tight deadlines.
• High performance expectations.
• Changes in the job duties or organizational changes.
• Job insecurity.

In the long-term, constant stress can have detrimental effects on your employees. We’ve briefly gone through some of them, but here’s a full list of the effects workplace stress can have on employees:

• Poor work performance
• Poor concentration
• Increased absenteeism
• Increased workplace errors 
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue

 

 

To combat these symptoms, achieving a work-life balance is essential. This balance involves effectively managing time and energy to ensure that work responsibilities do not encroach upon personal life and well-being. If you find employees commonly working off the clock, it may be time to reflect on your workplace’s workload and/or discuss work-life balance. Employers can support employee work-life balance by fostering a supportive work environment, offering flexible work arrangements, and encouraging a culture that values employee well-being.

When employees are able to balance their work demands with personal life responsibilities, they tend to experience lower stress levels and higher overall well-being. This enables them to approach their tasks with greater focus, creativity, and efficiency, thereby boosting job performance. That means they do a better job for you! What’s not to like? 

The support you give your employees plays a vital part in maintaining this balance. Companies that offer flexible work schedules, remote work options, and wellness programs show a commitment to their employees’ holistic well-being. This not only helps mitigate burnout and fatigue but also foster a sense of loyalty and motivation among employees. When workers feel valued and understood by their employers, their job satisfaction increases, which can lead to reduced turnover rates and a more positive workplace atmosphere.

 

 

How Custom Stress Balls Can Reduce Stress

All that being said, even the best work-life balance won’t make workplace stress disappear. High stress moments are bound to happen, that’s just part of the job, but that doesn’t mean it’s unmanageable. Enter the humble stress ball—a small but mighty tool that’s here to help you squeeze your stress away while simultaneously boosting brand awareness. 

Stress balls are those squishy, palm-sized wonders that you can grip, squeeze, and mold to your heart’s content. The action of squeezing can be a simple yet effective way to release pent-up tension. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying, right? Stress balls work on a very basic principle of muscle tension and release. When you squeeze a custom stress ball, you’re tensing the muscles in your hand and forearm. Holding that tension for a moment and then releasing it promotes relaxation in those muscles. You’re pretty much sending a universal signal to your body that it’s time to relax. This cycle of tension and release can lead to an overall calming effect on your body, translating to reduced feelings of stress and anxiety.

And let’s not forget, custom stress balls are super portable. Your employees can keep one in their desk drawer, in their car, or even toss it in their bag. Whenever stress strikes, you’ve got a handy little tool to help employees calm down and relax, and it will be greatly appreciated too. 

You may not always know if your employees are struggling, nor be able to shield them from the high stress situations that come with the job. What you can do, though, is give them the support and tools they need to maintain healthy stress levels. Custom stress balls are a start, as a subtle way to show you care for your employees’ well-being. 

 

 

Let ajar designs ink. Design Your Custom Stress Ball 

Now, what makes stress balls even cooler? Personalization, of course! Having a stress ball that’s designed specifically for you—maybe with your favorite color, a funny saying, or your company’s logo—adds a bit of personal flair. These little custom touches can make the stress ball more enjoyable to use and add a burst of positivity to anyone’s day. Imagine squeezing a stress ball with a motivational quote every time you’re feeling the heat. Instant mood boost!

If you go the branding route, the stress ball can serve as an item to represent your brand. Whether it be a logo, slogan, or simply your brand colours, ajar can create an unforgettable brand design that truly bolsters your brand’s visual presence. Not only that, but a stress ball can display your brand’s dedication to employee well-being. 

If you’re not a design whiz, don’t fret! At ajar designs ink., you provide us with your logo, content, and vision, and we turn it into an unforgettable piece of merchandise. From branded tote bags to pens, t-shirts, mugs, and more, we are your one-stop shop for your next line of merchandise. Contact us today and we’ll create a custom solution for your next design project! Looking to flex your creative muscles? Take a peek at our catalogue and experiment with our virtual design sample tool. If you already have a good idea for your design, reach out to us to get your order processed.