"Describing it personally, he termed it as 'energy depletion'; yet, burnout proves to be a greater peril than typically assumed..."
In today's fast-paced world, burnout has become a pressing concern for many workers globally. According to the World Health Organisation, burnout is a result of chronic work-related stress that hasn't been successfully managed, leading to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness, as well as physical and mental exhaustion.
Across the globe, levels of stress are increasing, and burnout rates have reached an all-time high. One in four employees report experiencing symptoms of burnout, with one in five adults globally having experienced general fatigue lasting six months or less, and one in ten experiencing chronic fatigue lasting more than six months.
Preventing and managing burnout requires a multi-faceted approach that includes individual strategies, organisational support, and systemic changes.
**Individual Strategies**
Stress management plays a crucial role in combating burnout. Practicing mindfulness and meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity can help reduce stress and increase feelings of calm. Learning to say no, prioritising tasks, and taking regular breaks are also essential for managing stress effectively.
Self-care is equally important. Maintaining social ties, ensuring sufficient sleep, and adopting a balanced diet can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall wellbeing and resilience to stress.
**Organisational Strategies**
Organisations can support employees by conducting surveys to assess burnout risk factors, promoting a healthy work-life balance, providing stress management training, and encouraging managers to delegate tasks effectively. Fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their stress levels and promoting inclusivity can also help prevent burnout.
**Systemic Changes**
Identifying and addressing systemic issues contributing to burnout, such as excessive workload or lack of control, is essential. Offering access to professional therapy for employees experiencing intense burnout can provide much-needed support.
**Practical Tips**
Simple practices like folding your hands on your desk and resting your forehead on your hands for a quick self-massage, or lying down on your back with your legs outstretched and your arms out to your sides with your palms facing upwards for a restorative yoga pose, can help alleviate stress. Remember to use kind, coaxing words when feeling burned out, and avoid adding to your depletion with punitive trash talk.
If needed, talking to a therapist can help manage emotions or work-related stress. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet can improve overall wellbeing and resilience to stress.
By implementing these strategies, workplaces can significantly reduce the risk of burnout and improve employee well-being and productivity.
- Incorporating creative hobbies such as knitting, crochet, or sewing into one's self-care routine can help alleviate stress and improve mental health, as these activities can provide a sense of accomplishment and relaxation.
- Promoting health-and-wellness initiatives in the workplace, like organizing workshops on knitting, crochet, or sewing, can contribute to workplace-wellness programs and help manage employee stress levels.
- Encouraging employees to participate in group activities like knitting or sewing circles not only fosters social connections but also boosts emotional well-being, reducing the risk of mental health issues associated with work-related stress and burnout.
