Which is a recommended approach to reduce stress in teams?

• A. Increase workload and pace.
• B. Promote social support networks and recovery activities.
• C. Withhold feedback to avoid conflict.
• D. Isolate team members to foster focus.

Answer: (B)

Reducing stress in teams is most effective when you build social support and create opportunities for recovery. When team members have strong social support—emotional encouragement, practical help, and open, trusting communication—they feel less overwhelmed by demands and more capable of handling challenges. This sense of belonging and available assistance acts as a buffer against stress, helping people stay engaged and resilient.

Recovery activities are equally important because they help team members detach from work, rest, and recharge. Breaks, time off, social connection outside work, and deliberate downtime reduce physiological arousal and prevent burnout, so energy and focus return when tasks resume.

Increasing workload or pace would heighten stress rather than reduce it, withholding feedback can leave people uncertain and anxious, and isolating team members removes the social lifeline that buffers stress. Together, promoting support networks and recovery creates a healthier, more sustainable pace for the team.