This Thursday, October 10th, 2024, we observe World Mental Health Day—a global reminder to take mental wellbeing seriously. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is: “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.”
In today’s fast-paced world, the workplace can sometimes become a source of chronic stress, which can lead to burnout and other health complications. In this week’s blog, we’ll help you recognise the signs of burnout and share practical ways to safeguard your mental health at work.
Fostering a mentally healthy workplace
For many adults, work occupies more waking hours than any other activity. At its best, work can be more than just a source of livelihood, providing us with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. However, our working environments can often fall short of this ideal and, in these cases, work can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Globally, workplace mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are widespread, affecting productivity, attendance, and overall job performance. Left unchecked, these issues carry an enormous financial burden, with the World Health Organisation estimating the economic impact at $1 trillion annually.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s commit to addressing burnout and create work environments where employees are supported, engaged, and able to thrive.
Spotting the signs of burnout
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that can take hold before you even realise it. Beyond affecting individual wellbeing, burnout can have far-reaching consequences for organisations.
Recognising the signs in yourself and others is crucial to fostering a healthier, more resilient workplace where mental health is a priority.
Burnout symptoms can be physical, emotional, and behavioural. Mental Health UK have developed this useful BURNOUT acronym to help identify the signs:
- Becoming isolated – Appearing withdrawn or detached
- Unexplained exhaustion – Persistent fatigue with no known cause
- Reduced performance – Unable to meet demands
- Neglecting self-care – Ignoring own health and wellbeing
- Overwhelmed – Feeling overloaded and unable to cope
- Uninterested – Feeling defeated, cynical or having persistent negative thoughts
- Tension and stress – Felt both physically and emotionally
What to do if you’re experiencing burnout
If you’re noticing signs of burnout, prioritising self-care is key. Taking steps to recharge and restore balance can greatly improve your wellbeing and productivity.
Mental Health UK’s PAUSE strategy offers some practical self-care tips:
- Pause – Take time out from the situation – stepping away from stressors will help create a much-needed break and space to consider next steps.
- Assess – Reflect on your feelings and thoughts, acknowledge assumptions and look at the factors contributing to burnout from different perspectives.
- Unwind – Do something you find restorative and relaxing – helping you to regain balance, mindfulness, and resilience.
- Solutions – Explore the options available to you within the situation – proactively change, challenge or control aspects within your power.
- Evaluate – Review how effective your solutions have been – what has improved and what needs to change further to avoid burnout in future?
Talk to someone
As with most mental health issues, if you’re experiencing or think you’re at risk of burnout, it will probably help to talk to someone.
Contact your manager at work, consult with a healthcare professional, confide in a family member or friend. Find someone you feel you can trust and tell them about how you’re feeling. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – it’s the first step to recovery.
If you have tips for helping with burnout or any other mental health concern, share them by commenting over on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
08.10.2024
Feature image: Freepik
Information source: Mental Health UK, World Federation for Mental Health
