The pace of life and the demands in companies are increasing; however, we must also know how to identify the limits that we have as people and the need to pause, disconnect, and rest to perform, mentally and physically, in the best way.
It has happened to all of us at some point in our professional lives, and we tend to think that the more we work, the better results we will have and the more productive we will be; however, this is not necessarily true. Excess work can lead to exhaustion that will inevitably have a consequence on our performance and will ultimately be detrimental to the company.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the ‘burnout’, burnt out syndrome as an occupational risk and included it in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, since the psychological disorder, product of stress, anxiety and depression manage to affect people’s daily routine.
WHO studies show that between 10 and 20 percent of employees in organizations suffer from this disease and its consequences are so real that in the United States more than four million workers quit their jobs, despite the pandemic crisis, as a consequence of its symptoms.
Recognizing the existence of these risks close to us and our work team is the first step in providing the necessary care channels for those who have reached this chronic level of stress.
It is time to take into account mental health in relation to employment, which has recently been affected, to a greater extent with factors that have played against such as the pandemic, the bad practices of remote work and the adaptation of life to a purely digital environment. The magnitude of this phenomenon worldwide motivates us to have good working conditions that directly influence the happiness of a person, and brings benefits in terms of productivity and efficiency to the organization.
These are some of the points that we can implement from inside companies to counteract ‘burnout’; but above all, to detect it in time:
- Identify symptoms: Some of the symptoms that show occupational burnout can range from lack of energy, to disinterest and distancing from their work obligations, through exhaustion, a feeling of inefficiency and negative or cynical feelings about work. The detection of burnout in your workers will help to take actions that seek its reduction and prevention in future cases.
- Productivity: To be efficient at work, an alternative that brings great benefits is to do it in blocks, since it helps to prioritize tasks according to their level of urgency and need. This method helps reduce the level of stress caused by poor time management and overload of responsibilities.
- Time and spaces: Personal life and spaces outside the workplace help clear the mind and get out of the routine, so respecting these moments by avoiding issues related to business activities allows them to have “escape valves” that improve their emotional well-being.
- Leverage strengths: Identifying these points in which the worker feels more comfortable and has greater ability, helps us assign tasks that take advantage of these strengths and have a lower probability of feeling frustrated with positions or activities in which they do not feel confident.
- Motivation: Taking into account aspects that are increasingly relevant in the business sector, such as emotional salary, produce a positive impact on the emotional well-being of employees and allows them to carry out their activities with greater efficiency and motivation.
Mental health has become a fundamental aspect in companies and given the new reality brought about by the pandemic, it will still be necessary to promote actions with a more humane approach that takes into account personal needs and the way each employee manages their tasks. and meet your commitments. There is no better way to achieve business success than when you have people who are motivated, happy and passionate about their work, and this can only be achieved when they have room to be happy, both within organizations and in their own lives.