Established in 1992, Stress Awareness Week has encouraged people to reflect on the causes of stress and explore strategies to reduce it. More than 30 years later, stress and burnout remain some of the most pressing public health challenges facing professionals today, with Stress Awareness Day being held every November.
In January 2025, Mental Health UK published its Burnout Report 2025. The survey of more than 4,000 UK adults found that one in three experienced high or extreme levels of stress “always” or “often” in the past year. Almost everyone surveyed (91%) reported feeling high pressure at some point. Beyond the workplace, the most common stressors included poor sleep, financial worries, health concerns, and feelings of isolation. For parents of young children, limited access to childcare is a particularly significant source of strain.
Understanding Stress and Burnout
To manage stress effectively, it helps to start with a clear stress definition. Stress is the body’s natural response to pressure. In short bursts, it can sharpen your focus and help you get things done. However, when pressure becomes relentless, it can cause long-term damage to your health and wellbeing.
Stress symptoms in the workplace might include difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, sleep disruption, and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. Left unchecked, workplace stress can develop into burnout, a more serious state defined by exhaustion, detachment, and loss of motivation. Unlike stress, which is often short-term, chronic workplace stress erodes employee resilience over time and makes it hard to function day to day.
The impact of stress goes beyond individual wellbeing. According to a Labour Force Survey, there were more than 776,000 cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2023/24. This resulted in 16.4 million lost working days, making stress management in the workplace not only a personal priority but also a business imperative.
The main causes of stress in the workplace are often linked to workload, such as tight deadlines, too much responsibility, or an unmanageable task list. Other factors include a lack of managerial support, unclear roles, and organisational changes. These pressures don’t just impact employee performance; they also contribute to physical health risks.
For example, prolonged stress can play a role in high blood pressure, particularly when combined with poor lifestyle habits.
5 Strategies to Deal with Workplace Stress
#1 Talk it Through
When stress builds up, isolation makes it worse. Speaking to a manager, mentor, or even a trusted colleague can provide much needed perspective and solutions. For freelancers or those in private office spaces, reaching out to a coach or professional advisor can help identify the root causes of stress and build effective coping strategies. Simply talking openly is a great first step in handling workplace stress.
#2 Get Active
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to alleviate stress in the workplace. Even a brisk walk outside can improve your mood and boost clarity. Research shows regular physical activity improves memory, supports long-term brain health, and reduces tension.
If you’re working at Old Street WorkRooms, make time to step away from your desk, join a local gym or explore outdoor spaces nearby. Movement clears the mind and offers a valuable reset.
#3 Encourage workplace wellness
No matter if you’re self-employed or part of a larger organisation, prioritising healthy habits and encouraging colleagues to do the same is an effective way to reduce workplace stress. Creating a culture where exercise, balanced nutrition, and regular breaks are valued helps set the tone for long-term wellbeing.
Research from the McKinsey Health Institute, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, shows the potential impact of this approach. Their Thriving Workplaces report highlights that investing in employee health could generate up to £8.72 trillion (US$11.7 trillion) in global economic value. Companies that actively support health and wellbeing see tangible results: higher productivity, lower absenteeism, reduced healthcare costs, and stronger employee engagement and retention.
These benefits go beyond business performance. A workforce that feels supported in its wellbeing is also more resilient and adaptable in the face of change. For individuals, wellbeing factors such as work-life balance and job satisfaction often prove to be just as motivating as salary, underscoring the value of a workplace culture that promotes health.
#4 Stay organised
One of the most common causes of stress in the workplace is the feeling of being overwhelmed. Getting organised helps restore control. Here are a few tips on how to do it:
Goal setting. Sit down and set your goals and get them clarified so you are super clear what you need to do.
Focus. Choose two or three goals – the most important things. You can’t have everything as a goal; otherwise, you will feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Set deadlines. Setting realistic deadlines will help you plan ahead and ensure things don’t get pushed aside.
Make use of your calendar. Calendars aren’t just for meetings and appointments. Plan your day the night before and ideally your week on a Friday night before you leave work. That way, you know what you are doing when and feel in control when you get in.
#5 Prioritise sleep
Poor sleep is both a symptom of stress in the workplace and a cause of further strain. Studies link stress directly to insomnia and poor sleep quality, particularly when paired with rumination or late-night screen time.
To break the cycle, create healthy routines: set boundaries with devices, wind down before bed, and aim for consistency. Sleep is one of the most powerful natural ways to relieve stress in the workplace and restore energy for the day ahead.
Building a Healthier Work-Life Balance
The reality is that workplace stress is unlikely to disappear completely. Deadlines, responsibilities, and challenges are part of working life. However, by recognising the symptoms of stress in the workplace, addressing the main causes of stress, and applying practical coping strategies, we can reduce its impact and prevent chronic workplace stress from taking hold.
Stress management in the workplace is about more than surviving the day, but about building sustainable routines that support your long-term wellbeing. For professionals working at our coworking and private office environment, the key is to make small, consistent changes: talk openly, stay active, create supportive spaces, get organised, and protect your rest.
By doing so, you’ll not only learn how to alleviate stress in the workplace but also build resilience, improve productivity, and create the foundation for a healthier work-life balance.