Thursday 10th October is world mental health day, and this year the theme is ‘It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’.
According to a 2017 study, 15% of the UK workforce are estimated to have a diagnosed mental health condition, and approaching one million UK workers were reported to be suffering from work related stress, depression and anxiety during 2022/23.
A lot of us spend a large proportion of our time working, and that’s why it is so important that not only employers prioritise mental health and positive mental wellbeing, but that we do what we can to support our mental health whilst at work too.
One of the most pressing mental health issues facing modern workplaces is ‘burnout’. As our lives become increasingly fast paced and more of us are suffering with chronic stress at work, inevitably workplace burnout is on the rise.
So what is ‘burnout’?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion and occurs as a result of prolonged stress, feeling under pressure and being faced with excessive demands. Although is it recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a ‘workplace phenomenon’, it is not exclusive to the workplace and can often occur as a result of caregiving responsibilities, family or relationship stress, chronic illness and neurodivergence.
Some common symptoms of burnout are; heightened emotional responses, irritability, loss of energy and motivation, feeling detached, sleep disturbances, negativity and exhaustion. Unlike with stress, these symptoms do not improve when the stressor is removed or resolved.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s gradual and can take hold before you’re even aware of it. It doesn’t just affect the individual, it has consequences for family members, close friends and employers too.
What can we do to prevent burnout?
There are many factors that contribute to whether a person will experience work related burnout, and factors outside of work play a big part also. The preventative measures will differ depending on what factors are contributing to an individual’s risk of burnout. But some of the things we can do to reduce our likelihood of burnt out at work are;
· Make sure you have a break during the day – So many people feel the need to work through their lunch break or don’t structure their day to include breaks these days. Our fast-paced lives mean that taking time out during our working day can feel like we are not being productive. However, regular breaks can actually improve overall productivity and reduce stress.
· Set boundaries – This can be particularly difficult for those who don’t work set hours or are self-employed. But it is important to set clear work times and try not to engage in ‘work activities’ outside of these times as much as possible. When working from home it also helps to have a defined workspace that you can use to separate work and home life as much as possible.
· Manage your time and workload – good time management can help you to feel in control and relaxed. Assessing the tasks and making a plan can help with this. Think about whether the task needs to be done now, or could it be postponed? Could you delegate it to someone else? Where possible set time aside to complete tasks where you are not being distracted by other demands.
· Sleep – Poor sleep can massively impact your mental health and emotional resilience, contributing to the likelihood of experiencing work related burnout. Some ways that you can improve your sleep are; getting into a regular sleep pattern, having a bedtime routine that encourages relaxation and limits blue light before you go to sleep and using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and listening to relaxing music.
· Look after your physical health – There is a lot of evidence that suggests mental health and physical health influence each other. Make sure that you are eating well, drink plenty of water, and remain as physically active as you can.
For more information on burnout, the signs and symptoms, and what you can do to prevent it, go to www.mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/