If you want motivated and high-energy employees in your business, then create an environment that reduces workplace stress. Not only do stressed employees lower productivity and quality of output, but research also confirms that stressed employees cost you more money in missed workdays and increased on-the-job injuries.

Here are some cost effective strategies to minimize stress on the job and give employees opportunities to reduce the effects of unavoidable stress.

1. Provide an attractive and comfortable work environment whenever possible. Pleasant surroundings can do wonders for a person's attitude. Create a less formal atmosphere, add plants, let employees decorate their own offices or cubicles, etc.

2. Have a quiet break room for your employees. Make this area separate from the normal "hustle and bustle" of the workplace.

3. Create opportunities for employees to make decisions that will directly affect their job performance. Participation gives employees a sense of personal power and reduces stress because "the boss" is not "giving orders."

4. Thank your employees for work accomplished by recognizing them for exemplary performance.

5. Choose the most ergonomically sound equipment, tools, and furniture for workstations.

6. Create opportunities for the employees to meet, socialize, and build working relationships. For example, set up a bowling team, softball team, book club, or other social activity for employees only.

7. Set up a gym or other exercise center for employees.

8. Offer onsite chair massage. A study published in a 1996 International Journal of Neuroscience found that a group of adults who received regular chair massage showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations, lower anxiety levels, and lower job stress scores compared to a control group who relaxed for 15 minutes.