It’s 3:30 PM. The workday is coming to an end, and employees sit down to take a break. But instead of calm, many experience an uncomfortable unease. Shoulders tense up, and thoughts circle around what needs to be done. Do you recognize this pattern in your company?
Why Rest Can Feel Like a Threat to Employees
This reaction is common, especially in a performance culture where employees feel they must be productive all the time. When they finally allow themselves to rest, it can trigger a stress response. The body interprets rest as a threat because it breaks with what they have learned to expect from themselves.
The result? Employees become restless, and many push aside breaks in favor of more tasks, which can lead to burnout and increased absenteeism.
The StoppStress Program Can Change the Culture
StoppStress is a digital stress management program that can help employees understand and change automatic stress responses. Here are some ways the program can be implemented in the company:
Trigger Mapping
Employees can use the Harmoni app to map situations where they experience unease. They can note:
- What happens right before the unease arises? (For example: "I sit down to take a break")
- What thoughts come up? (For example: "I should be working more")
- What do they feel in their body? (For example: "Tense shoulders, restlessness")
By becoming aware of these patterns, employees can begin to understand the connection between the trigger (rest), the stored expectation (having to be productive), and the stress response (unease).
The StoppStress Exercise
The next time an employee feels the unease creeping in, they can try the StoppStress exercise in the Harmoni app. Here’s a quick version:
- Get comfortable and notice how it feels in the body.
- Notice tensions and unease.
- Breathe calmly and deeply in and out.
- Keep focus on the feeling without judging it. Just observe.
- Repeat for two minutes.
The goal is not to eliminate the feeling but to change the relationship to it. Meeting discomfort with attention gives the body a new experience: Rest is not dangerous.
Changing Beliefs
Harmoni can also help employees explore and change limiting beliefs. Perhaps they discover that they have a thought like "I must always be productive." By challenging such thoughts, employees can reduce their stress levels.
Take a Small Step Towards More Rest in Your Company
What small steps can your company take to promote rest? Perhaps offer short break exercises or create spaces for rest. By creating a culture where rest is accepted, you can improve both well-being and productivity.
If employees experience strong emotions or crises, it is important to seek help. Contact professionals or relevant support services.
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StoppStress is a support tool for stress management, not treatment.
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The StoppStress program uses memory reconsolidation to provide employees with lasting tools against stress. Read more at stoppstress.no →