Brisbane workers say lack of exercise and unhealthy eating a leading cause of work stress

BRISBANE employees have opened up about their biggest sources of stress in the workplace.

AUSTRALIAN workers are more stressed than five years ago and Brisbane employees say unhealthy workplaces are to blame.

A global survey by workplace provider Regus reveals 17.4 per cent of Brisbane respondents cite a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating as the leading causes of work stress.

Unreliable technology was the other top response (also 17.4 per cent), followed by staff shortages (16.3 per cent), deadlines (14 per cent) and job instability (13.7 per cent).

TREATABLE: Anxiety not just feeling ‘stressed’

BODY AND SOUL: Five simple and easy stress busters

Regus CEO Australia and New Zealand Paul Migliorini said flexibility was this year’s workplace buzzword.

“Stress levels are mounting,” he said. “This is due to a combination of factors including being under-resourced and over worked, feeling desk-bound, and not having adequate time to exercise and recalibrate.”

Mr Migliorini said the freedom to work away from the ­office was key to achieving work/life balance and 59 per cent of Australians agreed.

Fitness chain founder Lorna Jane Clarkson said she found offering staff healthy snacks, a gym and a choice of sitting or standing at their desks helped with health.

“If your staff are happy and healthy they are more productive and have less sick days,” she said.

Zoe Dalrymple, Scott De Cent and Rebecca Borradale drink a juice at their standing desks at the Lorna Jane headquarters in Eagle Farm. Picture: Tara Croser

MORE WORKPLACE NEWS IN CAREERONE

TOP TIPS TO COMBAT WORKPLACE STRESS

1. Get your move on

The sedentary workplace lifestyle can have workers feeling slow and tired, which leads to loss of productivity and increased stress. Move more by parking further away from the office or sitting on a medicine ball.

2. Eat healthy

Healthy, nutritious food and breathing exercises are the simplest methods for relieving stress. These methods are not only cost effective but readily available.

3. Don’t be afraid to say you’re at capacity

Overworked employees are more likely to lose motivation regardless of how much overtime pay they are receiving, so it’s crucial to let your employer know when you’re at capacity.

4. Maintain open communication

It’s important to maintain frequent communication in the workplace at it gives teams a sense of loyalty and trust, which helps reduce workplace stress and anxiety.

5. Make an effort

Friendships in the workplace make up for a lot of ills, and the reverse is also true. You don’t need a best friend at work, just be able to relax around your colleagues and enjoy their company.

6. Think flexibly

A growing number of employers recognise the benefits of flexible working. Working out of the office at least part of the time is proven to reduce stress and promote a work/life balance.

Source: Regus CEO Australia and New Zealand, Paul Migliorini\

Originally published as Brisbane workers say lack of exercise and unhealthy eating a leading cause of work stress