How Reducing Stress Can Save You—and Your Employer

Think about the last time you felt stressed. Odds are, it was just yesterday or even earlier today considering about 8 in 10 Americans say they frequently or sometimes encounter stress in their daily lives.

If that stress has something to do with your finances or your job, you’re not alone. Money and work are two of the highest sources of stress for Americans. While stress levels remain stagnant, Americans report feeling the effect of stress more than ever before. Signs of chronic stress range from physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, to emotional symptoms like irritability and worry.

Stress-related illness and injury are estimated to cost the U.S. more than $300 billion per year! This figure takes into account factors like accidents, absenteeism, employee turnover and lowered productivity. While individual stressors vary, employers play a large role in their employees’ stress levels.

Check out the infographic below for tips on how to manage stress in the workplace.

The wide sweeping effects of workplace stress may be discouraging, but there are ways to cope with stress and overwhelming work pressures. Listening to music, taking a walk and spending time with family and friends are some popular ways to manage stress. And if you’re among the two-thirds of Americans who are stressed about finances, ways to help include starting to build your emergency fund or considering talking to a professional.