Stress Response
- Anna Hayford
- May 1
- 2 min read
Stress is Real — And Manageable:
We all experience it — on the job, at home, or just trying to make it through the day. But unmanaged stress doesn’t just mess with our minds — it affects our bodies, our focus, and safety on the job.
Chronic stress can increase the risk of mistakes, injuries, and even long-term health problems.
Why Stress Matters at Work:
Decreased focus: Stress clouds thinking and delays reaction time.
Higher accident risk: Distraction or fatigue from stress can cause serious safety incidents.
Team tension: Stress impacts communication, making it harder to collaborate.
Build your stress-resilience toolkit:
Sleep well. One bad night is survivable. Five in a row? That’s a risk.
Know your limits. Speak up early, not when you’re about to break.
Create a wind-down routine. What helps you shift from “go mode” to “rest mode”?
Quick stress check:
Think of stress like a tire pressure light in a car. Sometimes it pops up with a change of weather and we think “it’ll calm down when the weather evens out.” We let it go. Then, it’s a month later and that light is still on, but we’re just used to ignoring it by now.
Sometimes we get so used to being in a state of heightened stress that we don’t notice our own “tire pressure” light is on.
Check in with yourself - are you feeling:
Easily irritated or overwhelmed?
Tired but wired?
Forgetful or distracted?
Sore shoulders, tension headaches, or clenched jaw?
Those might be your stress signals — your “tire pressure light.”
Quick Tools to De-Stress on the Job:
Box breathing
AKA the 4-4-4-4 method.
Inhale, hold, exhale, hold — all for 4 seconds. Repeat.
Micro-movements
A quick stretch or walk can help reset your nervous system.
Bonus points: step outside for a breath of fresh air.Hydrate & Snacks:
Hydrate & Snacks:
Low blood sugar or dehydration can amplify stress.
Grab a quick snack to re-up. Water and fruit are great go-tos.
Name your feelings:
Just saying “I’m feeling tense right now” helps your brain regulate.
It helps your body be present and realizing there is no danger.
Peer check-in:
Take 2 minutes to check in with a teammate.
Stress eases when we feel supported.
Shock your system:
Grab a couple of ice cubes and hold them in your hands for 30 seconds.
This can take your body’s focus away from your stress and put it on an actual immediate need - to warm your hands.
5-4-3-2-1 grounding:
When your body is in fight-or-flight mode, it can be extremely helpful to remind your body you are in no immediate danger.
We can do this through “grounding,” which reminds us of our present space.
Take a minute to acknowledge these in your mind:
5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
