Opinion: Burnout is on the rise – let’s face it together

Will you join me for a quick exercise? Take a deep breath and then exhale slowly. Gently grab your head and pull it to one side, then the other. Roll your shoulders back. Glance out the window for a few moments and look for a blooming tree. Relax your brow and smile.

If you’re a typical American worker, you probably needed a mini stress-busting exercise right about now. About 43% of working-age adults reported being completely overwhelmed by stress in the American Psychological Association’s 2022 Stress in America survey.

The APA says stress is a normal reaction to everyday pressures. But it becomes unhealthy when it affects a person’s ability to function.

What’s causing all this stress? The APA survey found a majority of adults are disheartened by government and political divisiveness, daunted by historic inflation levels and dismayed by widespread violence.

That stress also is spilling into – and in some cases caused by – our workplaces.

In a recent Aflac study on employee well-being and mental health, 59% of American workers are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout. That is nine percentage points higher than 2021 and surprisingly two percentage points higher than at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report finds the vast majority of those experiencing burnout also are suffering from anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping.

Burnout is rooted in chronic stress and can lead to feeling exhausted, being negative about work, losing connection and reducing effectiveness.

For workers with no to low burnout, 80% report being satisfied with their job in the Aflac study. For those with high burnout, 56% say they likely will polish up their resumes and start looking for a new gig.

Some good news from the study is that 84% of employees say their companies at least somewhat care about their overall well-being, with 57% saying their organizations care a moderate amount or a great deal. That’s a good foundation to build on.

So, what can we do? The Harvard Business Review published best practices with a headline that caught my attention: “How to Help Your Team with Burnout When You’re Burned Out Yourself.”

Of course, employees are not the only ones experiencing stress and burnout, but often leaders are asked to solve problems they are facing themselves. These tips acknowledge that. You can read the full ideas on the HBR website with my take here:

1. Make your own health a priority. A friend recently asked me what plans I had for self-care in the next week. I rattled off a whole list of things I was doing for other people and with other people. “No,” she said. “What are you doing for you?” Set aside some time as often as you can to fill your own cup. That’s how you’re able to give to others.
2. Tackle the problem as a group. Invite your team to find solutions to the problem together. Engage in a fun activity as a group and share stress-busting discoveries.
3. Exhibit compassion. To yourself, too. Burnout is not a personal failing but just an unfortunate result of the pace of life. Work can be intense. The projects are high stakes. But pinch your arm real quick. Did it hurt? Just as I guessed; you’re a human. Acknowledging our common humanity and common commitments can help us get through it together.
4. Set a good example. Are you breathlessly running from meeting to meeting? Regularly sending emails at midnight? That energy is contagious. Rest and setting boundaries are important. Yes, there are times when you need people to work and that may even be in off hours. The flip side is also true. Everyone needs time to check out. Clarity is needed to give people a true break.
5. Focus on the why. What’s this mission we’re all working so hard for? Take time to remember why you chose the job and find opportunities to highlight the ways everyone on your team is meeting the goals you asked for.
6. Advocate for your team. Sometimes work is truly too much. Connect with your boss or fellow leaders if you need help, more support or to ask if a deadline can be adjusted.
7. Be a source of optimism. Look for the good when it feels easy to call out the bad. I don’t believe ignoring or downplaying problems is wise, but be intentional about acknowledging accomplishments. And don’t forget yourself in that.

While we all likely will experience stress and burnout at times, it’s a good idea to seek care from a medical professional if you’re feeling regularly debilitated. I also hope you incorporate some of these practices above to bring some ease and camaraderie to you and your team.

Springfield Business Journal Executive Editor Christine Temple can be reached at ctemple@sbj.net.