Prioritise your mental well-being to beat the work burnout blues

Between waking up early, negotiating traffic, juggling multiple tasks and working late, there’s also your own life that you need to live.

And for many, this means complex relationships, unbalanced finances, emotional baggage and finding an hour somewhere to keep fit.

This is a day in the life of the average working, corporate South African.

Add to it the socio-political pressures that many people face, and it’s enough to sap the life out of even the most capable person.

With pressures like these, something’s got to give.

Here are a few key points to consider, courtesy of Zululand Observer:

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Anti-wellness issues

Many elements of modern work culture impact on our well-being and productivity.

These are three of the major ones you – and your staff – may be exposed to:

1. Presenteeism

Presenteeism is the act of coming to work despite an inability to perform at your best owing to illness. This accounts for a loss of about six working days per employee per year.

2. Telepressure

Telepressure is the urge to quickly respond to emails, texts and voicemails, regardless of what else is happening or whether one is even at work.

According to research, people with higher levels of telepressure:

• Feel they have no energy to go to work in the morning;
• Struggle to think clearly;
• Are less likely to engage in challenging tasks
• Have poorer sleep quality;
• Are more likely to take sick leave

To address this, managers should demonstrate that hard work is smart, balanced work – not non-stop work.

Being permanently available could indicate a lack of time management during work hours.

3. Stress and burnout

Cumulative stress is stress compounded over time. Traditionally, it was experienced in jobs such as firefighting, police work, and trauma hospitals.

But these days, heavy workloads, long hours and poor communication mean people in many other industries are suffering too.

Symptoms include apathy, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, poor appetite, migraines, heart problems, and even ulcers.

Engagement tips for businesses

Engaged employees are 12% more productive than non-engaged employees.

The best thing any organisation can do to increase engagement is to implement a top-down strategy that addresses culture, the work environment, and the health and wellness concerns of its people.

Here’s why:

1. Focus on good health

An unhealthy workforce can have a significant impact on business. For instance:

• Unhealthy workers take nine times more sick days than healthy workers.
• Productivity losses associated with chronic diseases cost 400% more than treatment.
• Organisations that don’t promote wellness are four times more likely to lose great talent.

Many companies implement corporate wellness programmes to address this – initiatives that not only boost overall performance and morale, but are also positively associated with companies’ financial bottom lines.

2. Prioritise mental well-being

A focus on physical wellness isn’t enough, however. Mental illness contributes to absenteeism, poor work quality, and impaired productivity.

The social expense is high, too, as mental illness can result in substance abuse, violence, crime and family breakdowns – costs that ultimately affect staff engagement and performance.

Healthy work environments promote fairness, honesty, respect, personal and career growth, recognition, influence, a manageable workload, and flexible work arrangements.

3. Build a healthy environment

One’s physical environment has an impact on happiness and productivity.

The most engaged employees work in environments that are temperate, noise-controlled, and free of crowds, with adequate fresh air.

Take a look at your situation – would you say that it qualifies?

Happiness at work for individuals

Relying solely on your organisation to improve your work life isn’t enough to achieve real wellness.

Your happiness also depends on you. To keep you smiling, it is recommended that:

1. Keep a positive mind

Cut yourself some slack. Focus on the positive things and point them out to others. Your warm outlook could rub off on your colleagues too.

2. Look after yourself

Slow down. Eat well. Exercise. A strong body and mind make you the best you can be.

3. Take time to reflect

Ignoring your own symptoms of stress and burnout will land you in more trouble than you need.

Figure out what triggers your own negativity and work on ways to improve this.

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