DESTRESS: all about reducing stress in the workplace | Anders Denken Podcast #28

Episode 28 of the Anders Denken Podcast focuses on the theme of work stress. Our guests are researchers Anouk Gathier and Lily Anzion, both affiliated with the Amsterdam UMC and involved in the DESTRESS research project. This eight-year program focuses on the early recognition and prevention of unhealthy stress in the workplace. An ambitious project in which science and practice come together.

Unique stress passport

According to Anouk and Lily, everyone has a 'unique stress passport'. Stress is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Where one person can work well under pressure, another becomes overloaded. This individuality requires customization. DESTRESS therefore looks broadly: from personal experiences to organizational cultures, from physical signals to mental experience. Although stress is often seen as negative, it is only really problematic when it hinders functioning or leads to failure.

Early detection

The aim of DESTRESS is to recognise stress at an early stage and to make it a topic of discussion. The project consists of three clusters: the first focuses on the preconditions (such as legal and ethical frameworks), the second on measuring stress signals and the third on developing a practical solution, such as a tool or app. This tool should provide both employees and employers with insight into stress signals, so that the conversation can be held earlier and absence is prevented.

Wearables and questionnaires

What makes DESTRESS special is the combination of technological measurements and personal experience. For example, wearables are used to measure physiological signals of stress, such as heart rate and skin conductance. At the same time, information is collected through interviews and questionnaires, in which people report their own stress level. “It is also interesting to see whether what someone reports themselves corresponds with what we measure via the wearables,” the researchers say.

This comparison offers valuable insights: are people aware of their stress signals, or is the body already sounding the alarm while the mind is still suppressing it? By cleverly combining this data, an objective basis for the conversation is created. Not to control, but to start the dialogue earlier, create understanding and offer timely support.

Want to learn more about DESTRESS and how this research will help organizations and employees recognize and discuss stress earlier?

Then listen to the full episode of the Different Thinking Podcast on Spotify.