10 Ways to Reduce Stress for Financial Professionals

The financial industry thrives on performance, but at a cost. Long hours, regulatory pressures, and constant client demands make stress a daily reality for many finance professionals. In fact, 36% of employees in banking and finance report feeling stressed or anxious more than half the time.

For HR leaders, the question isn’t whether stress is affecting the workforce, it’s how employers can reduce stress in the workplace without compromising performance. The answer? A targeted, flexible wellness program designed with industry-specific challenges in mind.

This article explores 10 ways to reduce stress among financial professionals using wellness strategies that are proven to increase participation, improve morale, and lower turnover. These are real solutions for real people, and each tactic supports stress management for employees in a high-demand environment.

Table of Contents

1. Why Stress Management for Employees in Financial Services Matters
2. 10 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Workplace
3. How Employers Can Reduce Stress in the Workplace
4. Why Wellness Programs for Banks Work
5. A Strategic Approach to Well-Being

Why Stress Management for Employees in Financial Services Matters

Stress management for employees is essential. Chronic stress doesn’t just affect employee morale, it impacts performance, productivity, and your bottom line. Financial professionals under constant pressure are more likely to disengage, miss work, or leave altogether.

The good news? Employee wellness programs in financial services are proven to improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs. A recent report found that financial institutions offering wellness initiatives saw a 40% reduction in attrition.

A targeted wellness strategy provides your team with the tools and support they need (and positions your organization as a proactive leader in the industry).

10 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Workplace

Each of these tactics is a practical, effective way to support stress management for employees in finance, and a key part of how employers can reduce stress in the workplace while increasing engagement and long-term retention.

• On-Demand Mental Health Resources
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Burnout Risk Assessments or Pulse Surveys
• Fitness Challenges That Encourage Movement
• Desk Movement or Microbreak Reminders
• Fitness Reimbursements
• Team-Based Wellness Challenges
• Recognition Milestones and Social Wellness Events
• Mental Recharge Days or Wellness PTO
• Meaningful Incentives That Drive Participation

1. On-Demand Mental Health Resources

Effective employee wellness programs in financial services start with access to mental health support. This can include therapy stipends, licensed app partnerships (like Calm or Headspace), or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Giving employees discreet, 24/7 tools is one of the most effective ways to prevent stress in the workplace.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

From short daily reminders to guided workshops, mindfulness is a proven tactic for how to reduce workplace stress. Whether it’s through guided meditation sessions, virtual classes, or daily app reminders, this simple practice can help employees manage anxiety and improve focus. According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness reduces stress levels and improves emotional regulation, making it a valuable addition to any wellness program for banks.

3. Burnout Risk Assessments or Pulse Surveys

To manage stress, you first need to measure it. Monthly pulse surveys or burnout check-ins offer early insight into employee well-being and help guide proactive solutions, an essential tool for how managers can reduce stress in the workplace.

To learn more about how to survey employees, check out IncentFit’s Pulse Surveys.

4. Fitness Challenges That Encourage Movement

Activity-based challenges are a staple of successful employee wellness programs in financial services. Whether it’s a 10,000-step-a-day challenge or a team-based movement competition, physical activity directly supports stress management for employees by reducing cortisol and increasing energy levels. They’re also a core feature of many wellness programs designed for stress management for employees.

5. Desk Movement or Microbreak Reminders

Finance jobs often require long hours at a desk. Incorporating stretch reminders or microbreak videos gives employees simple, accessible ways to prevent stress in the workplace without disrupting productivity.

6. Fitness Reimbursements

Offering reimbursements for gyms, apps, or classes empowers employees to take ownership of their health. It’s also a proven driver of program participation, a smart tactic in any strategy focused on how to reduce workplace stress.

To learn more about Reimbursements, check out IncentFit’s Reimbursement tool.

7. Team-Based Wellness Challenges

Wellness is more engaging when it’s shared. Whether it’s hydration goals or group step counts, these challenges double as both health initiatives and stress management for employees.

8. Recognition Milestones and Social Wellness Events

Acknowledging wellness achievements with shout-outs, digital badges, or team events reinforces a culture of care, making this one of the most human-centered ways to prevent stress in the workplace.

9. Mental Recharge Days or Wellness PTO

Offering a “wellness day” signals that health matters. According to a Deloitte report, companies offering this benefit experience higher retention and reduced burnout, two key goals in how employers can reduce stress in the workplace.

10. Meaningful Incentives That Drive Participation

Offering timely, relevant incentives (like gift cards, HSA contributions, or charitable donations) increases participation and keeps stress-reducing behaviors going strong. This is where wellness programs move from optional perks to measurable impact. 

Want to learn what works best? Download our whitepaper on wellness incentives. 

How Employers Can Reduce Stress in the Workplace

How employers can reduce stress in the workplace starts with building a culture where well-being is normalized, not stigmatized. That means listening to employee feedback, monitoring usage trends, and evolving offerings based on real needs. Most importantly, it means empowering managers with tools and training for how managers can reduce stress in the workplace through empathy, communication, and clarity.

Why Wellness Programs for Banks Work

For financial professionals, stress often comes with the job, but it doesn’t have to lead to burnout. Tailored wellness programs are one of the smartest ways to prevent stress in the workplace, especially in roles that demand focus and precision.

Programs like IncentFit help financial institutions:

• Motivate healthier behaviors with meaningful and timely incentives
• Track participation and ROI through a streamlined platform
• Customize wellness offerings to meet the needs of different roles and demographics
• Reduce absenteeism, boost morale, and improve retention

In short, wellness programs for banks don’t just reduce stress, they help turn wellness into a business advantage.

A Strategic Approach to Well-Being

Reducing stress isn’t about adding fluff, it’s about removing friction. By implementing these 10 ways to reduce stress, and offering a scalable, employee-centric wellness solution, HR teams can create healthier cultures that benefit both people and profits.

Looking to take the next step? Discover how IncentFit supports how employers can reduce stress in the workplace with flexible tools, proven strategies, and customizable incentives. Schedule a demo!