Three ways stress impacts your organization

Stress impacts more than just our bodies—it significantly influences the health and productivity of organizations. While some stress can actually be beneficial, striking the right balance is a challenge nearly all of us face—we are constantly walking a fine line between embracing healthy stress and being downright stressed out. 

Recently, Wondr Health conducted a survey with more than 6,000 respondents to learn more about the impact of stress on overall well-being and weight-management. The results are telling: while under stress 24.3% respondents eat more unhealthy foods and beverages, 18.4% struggle with sleep, and 16.5% reduce their physical activity.

In isolation, none of these are great habits. But what’s more alarming is the top three results, compounded together, put your population at higher risk for developing physical and mental health-related chronic conditions—like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. We asked respondents to share with us the ways that stress impacts their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. See the total results below:

The results point to three major ways that stress is impacting the health of your population and organization: 

Stress can create a ripple effect in your organization. 

Whether you realize it now or later, stress rapidly multiplies—if one member of your team is feeling the negative effects of stress, you likely have a culture that not only normalizes stress but cultivates it. Conversations around stress have become so watered down in workplace culture that the serious negative effects are overlooked. In some organizations, unhealthy amounts of stress and burnout are simply ignored because they hold pride in being a ‘fast-paced’ or ‘hustle-and-grind’ environment.

Results from our survey reveal when stressed, 15.3% of respondents have less energy, 8.5% struggle with focus at work, and 1% have an increase in absenteeism—all indicators of how stress is affecting the daily atmosphere and workplace culture. Low energy, low focus, and increased absenteeism are nothing to brush off – these are all key signs that your workforce is struggling. 

Performance and productivity take a hit

Peak performance hinges on brain health, which is deeply connected to sleep and nutrition. Research indicates that a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night is crucial for optimal brain function. However, stress often disrupts sleep patterns, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

Additionally, 24.3% of respondents reported consuming more unhealthy foods and beverages, while 15.5% ate larger portions when stressed. If you have a workforce that comes into the office, think about the food your population gravitates toward. Are there many mornings when a team member offers to bring donuts or pastries? Gravitating toward unhealthy food is very common, but stress in your workforce may be an unknown driving force. Not only do these dietary changes negatively affect weight, but over time, they can lead to brain inflammation, reduced learning capacity, and fewer new neurons being generated.

More stress, less movement

Physical activity is one of the best ways to relieve stress, yet, based on our survey results, 16.5% of respondents move less when they experience stress – which often leads to more stress and/or weight gain. This is the perfect example of the cyclical nature of weight and physical activity. One way to address the cycle is to create a culture that encourages your workforce to get more physically active. 

For any change to be successful, it’s all about talking the talk and walking the walk. Many companies host 5K races or walks that encourage increased physical activity within the organization while also creating bonding experiences between team members. Additionally, by offering wellness incentives and providing tools to help your population get active, you can help your population proactively prioritize physical activity.  

It is critical for organizations to provide employees with tools that help regulate and manage stress effectively. Resources that foster protective behaviors like prioritizing physical activity, healthy eating habits, and getting ample sleep can help create a more resilient workforce, ultimately boosting productivity and overall employee well-being.

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