Anyone who has ever worked in a stressful work environment has first-hand experience with burnout. Regardless of the industry you work in, it has the potential to come for any one of us, greatly affecting our mental health as well as our workplace performance.
Burnout can take many forms: a decrease in productivity, a lack of interest, a general sluggishness when it comes to workplace responsibilities. Other signs and symptoms may include lower motivation, physical or emotional exhaustion, a decrease in concentration, or even insomnia.
Burnout is a common experience, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. According to a July 2020 survey, 75% of people have experienced burnout at work, with 40% saying that they’ve experienced burnout specifically while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. With awareness and the right strategies, it can be overcome.
Whether you work in an office or remotely, creating boundaries between your personal and professional life is incredibly important to prevent burnout. Having a clear routine for your working hours versus time offline is crucial. If you work from home, having a designated workspace can help separate your work day from the rest of your life.
Intentionally scheduling time for self-care to recharge can also help ease the stress and lack of motivation workers feel when they are burned out. Self-care looks different for everyone. Being proactive about taking steps to fill your cup and ease stress can help combat stress or low motivation before it becomes full-fledged burnout.
Even as we emerge from the pandemic, the conditions that cause burnout exist. Every day can feel like a frantic rush to get back on track. Whether you are in a physical office that naturally supports this or not, taking small breaks during the day is also important.
Hybrid work is a viable way to pre-empt burnout. In Owl’s 2021 State of Remote Work, about 82% of respondents said their mental health would improve if they had the option to work remotely at least part-time post-pandemic. While hybrid work can create unique pain points for employees who are unprepared, flexibility typically improves employee well-being.
Burnout also isn’t something to fight alone. Having a workplace culture where there is active dialogue and awareness of mental health struggles can be a great help. Reaching out to a support network can help employees feel less lonely and can make getting through burnout possible. Only 11% of managers are concerned about employee burnout, according to the Owl Labs 2021 State of Remote Work report. Starting conversations in the workplace about burnout, loneliness and other ways that work can impact mental health is vital to change that.
For more strategies to combat burnout, read our blog article here.
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Written by: Owl Labs
Published on: 22 August 2022