April - Newsletter

Burnout

This month I wanted to talk to you about Burnout. I’m not sure if you agree but I feel like ever since COVID burnout has been more of a “thing”. Or perhaps we are just being more open as to how we are actually feeling and talking about it more.

In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, the looming threat of burnout has become increasingly prevalent. We believe that understanding and addressing burnout is crucial for maintaining well-being and productivity. Below, we explore the causes, symptoms, management strategies, and some rejuvenating practices that can help mitigate its impact.

Understanding Burnout

Burnout is more than just feeling overworked; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress and mental load. It can affect anyone across all levels in an organization.

Common Causes:

Excessive Workload: Taking on too much work without adequate resources or support.
Lack of Control: Feeling powerless in decision-making processes or unable to influence outcomes.
Insufficient Reward and Recognition: Experiencing a lack of appreciation or feeling undervalued.
Poor Work Environment: High-stress cultures and lack of camaraderie among teams.
Imbalance in Work-Life Harmony: Difficulty maintaining a healthy balance between work demands and personal life.

Symptoms of Burnout:

Chronic fatigue and lack of energy.
Increased irritability or mood swings.
Reduced performance and productivity.
Feelings of cynicism or detachment from work.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Physical symptoms such as headaches or gastrointestinal distress.

Managing Burnout

While burnout can be challenging, it’s essential to address it proactively. Here are some strategies to manage and prevent burnout:

Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for activities that nourish your body and mind, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into manageable steps and set achievable targets to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Establish Boundaries: Learn to say no to add-ons that may stretch your limits; protect your personal time.
Seek Support: Communicate with leaders about workload concerns and explore flexible arrangements.
Regular Breaks: Implement regular pauses at work to refresh and recharge mentally.

At Twalk, one of our favourite self-care strategies is walking! There are many benefits of getting outside and walking in the great outdoors.

Benefits of Walking in Nature

One of the simplest yet profound remedies for stress is engaging with nature. Walking outside, particularly in green spaces, can offer substantial emotional benefits:

Improved Mood: Nature walks can significantly boost mood and lower stress levels.
Enhanced Mental Clarity: Walking amidst nature can improve focus and cognition.
Increased Creativity: Being outdoors has been linked with enhanced creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Physical Well-being: Regular walks contribute to better cardiovascular health and overall fitness.

And as you know we also like to talk.

Twalk It Through

Another effective method for managing burnout is open conversation. Talking through problems with a trusted colleague, manager, or professional can help:

Relieve Stress: Sharing concerns can lighten the mental load and provide a clearer perspective.
Develop Solutions: Collaborative discussions often lead to innovative solutions to work challenges.
Strengthen Relationships: Building a support network at work can foster a more supportive environment.

The benefits of walking and talking are like chatting with your teenagers in the car…they are next to you or behind you, so there is minimal eye-contact. Conversations can go deeper faster, allowing more time to get to the root cause of the issue and come up with practical strategies to address the issue.

At Twalk, we are committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of our clients. We encourage you to reach out if you or anyone in your team is experiencing burnout or needs someone to Twalk to. Let’s make self-care and mutual support a priority for a healthier and happier workplace.

Remember, addressing burnout proactively can lead to a more fulfilling work life and personal satisfaction. Let’s continue this journey towards a healthier work environment together.

Leadership tip of the month

Check in on your team members often. Ask them about all aspects of their life – work, personal, family, friends, upcoming plans, so on and so forth. Have a sense of where everyone is at and help identify if someone has a sense of overwhelm. This way it can be addressed as soon as possible. Don’t let a team member hit rock bottom before they reach out for help – take time to understand their workload, their family load and if anything needs to give a little. Life is full of challenging moments for all of us so let’s look out for our work colleagues, just as we would look out for our family and friends. This is all about the culture we want to build and create…but more on that next month.

Til then I hope to see you out Twalking, if not with me, then with your team!