Let’s face it: there’s no such thing as an “easy” job. If the nature of the job is supposed to be easy, then it won’t have the same high compensation as other types of jobs that are more physically and mentally demanding. But for every handsome pay that skilled workers earn while they are at the job, this can often come at the cost of stress.
Although stress is just a natural part of the workplace, it can also have dire consequences to the body, especially in the long term. In fact, there are around 40% of workers have reported their job being exhausting and extremely stressful. Around a quarter would say that their job is the primary source of stress in their life, and 75% of employees believe there’s more stress that’s related to work than a few decades ago. In most cases, stress at work can often lead to burnout.
Since we are living in a globalized and capitalist society, each one of us has to persevere and make sacrifices in the workplace to make ends meet and put food on the table. The culture of “working hard” has been ingrained in a variety of different cultures for a long time that countries like Japan are known for having a word for ‘death by overwork.’ However, overworking in the long-term has been a primary cause of burnout.
So how do we power through burnout, even when we are in the workplace? What can employers do to help employees that might be feeling burnout? Here’s what you’ll need to know when to preventing burnout at the workplace.
What Is Burnout and What Causes It?
Although most managers and employers would say that burnout is simply just another fancy term for workers that are both frustrated and stressed, burnout is more than just a state of mind. In fact, there have been hospital admissions that are related to extreme stress that’s accompanied by both cardiovascular health problems and mental disorders.
That said, burnout can take a toll on the human body, especially individuals that already have previous health conditions. Most experts would define burnout as:
- A state wherein the individual is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, especially when exposed in the long-term to mentally-demanding tasks.
- A state of fatigue and frustration that’s usually brought upon by a variety of factors. Usually, this is caused by the work environment or relationship with individuals.
While stress does play a part in a person’s exhaustion, another known cause of burnout is a warped sense of reality and disillusionment that the worker or individual will feel while they’re at that state.
Still, it’s important to remember that everyone does get exhausted, and everyone has felt that way at some point in their life while they’re building their career. But what makes burnout different is that it strikes individuals that want to put time and effort into their work.
\While exhaustion by remedied with rest, burnout is usually caused by people who have a more “cynical” view of their workplace. In order for employers to remedy exhaustion in the workplace, not only will they have to give employees time to rest, but they will also need to change their point of view at work.
Make Changes In The Lifestyle of Employees
Normally, stress and burnout are already related to the employee’s lifestyle. Exercise is known for helping alleviate stress while releasing endorphins, which is known for helping ease the mood of individuals.
Most experts would say that another contributor to stress is dehydration. Each core function of the body is reliant on the presence of water. Dehydration is known for causing stress, while stress is known for causing dehydration. This vicious cycle can usually lead to the burnout of employees. You can strategically place water dispensers and snack stations close to the operations area so that employees can easily access sources of water without any problem.
You might want to consider placing fruit-flavored soda water on these dispensers as they are great alternatives to bottled water placed on plastic containers. Not only will you be keeping your employees hydrated, but this is an excellent way of keeping them stress-free.
Create a Sense of Working Culture
Sometimes, working isn’t just about getting that monthly paycheck: it’s also about building a deeper purpose to working. If you’re in an industry that’s considered “essential,” you might want to remind your employees that they’re doing the community more than just a favor by rendering their services. Having a deeper impact on society and keeping families happy can put a smile on the faces of the workforce.
While most individuals might just feel “exhausted” about the workplace, burnout is more than just the fatigue and tiredness of the working environment. Burnout is a mixture of exhaustion in almost all aspects of a person’s fortitude while questioning the integrity of the organization and career that they are on.
There are a multitude of symptoms of burnout, ranging from having low energy, no sense of interest in work, and irritated with co-workers and customers. This can often lead to a decrease in productivity and ultimately lead to problems in health.
Remember that you’re working to live and not living to work. If you do sense that you or your colleague might be burning out any time soon, you should see a health professional regarding this matter.
