According to the Women @ Work 2022 by Deloitte, a survey of 5,000 women across 10 countries, more than half of the women are more stressed than a year ago. In addition, 46% of the women surveyed feel burned out. This widespread burnout fueled by rising stress levels is worrying.
Burnout has become a common problem in today’s society and workplaces. We are constantly being bombarded with more information and new technologies, which has led to an “always on” culture. This has caused many people to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. The constant pressure to be productive can take its toll on our mental and physical health, leading to burnout.
So what can we do to address this issue? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are certainly some small steps we can take to help reduce our risk of burnout and maintain our mental health. These small steps taken now to address our wellness may have a long term impact on our career progression.
For executive women, workplace stress is often compounded by the fact that they’re constantly juggling multiple demands on their time. As a result, they’re at greater risk of experiencing stress and burnout because they want to be the best at work and at home.
“It can be difficult to switch off from work,” shared Stacey, a software and services executive. “For many of us, the line between our professional and personal lives has become blurred, and as a result, it is increasingly difficult to relax and unwind.”
It’s no secret that stress and burnout are taking a toll on our health and our families. For this reason, more people are seeking out new opportunities. According to the Women @ Work 2022, feeling burned out is the top reason why women want to leave their current employer. It is above pay issues and lack of career advancement.
“I’m expected to lead my team and be the face of the company. It’s a lot of pressure, and sometimes it feels like I can’t ever turn off,” shared Kellie, an executive in human resources. “I’m always worried about work, even when I’m at home with my family. I know it’s taking a toll on my health, so I’ve started thinking about leaving my job.”
It can be easy to forget to take care of yourself when you are balancing so many different demands. However, self-care is essential for maintaining your physical and mental health.
“Self-care is essential to my success,” shares Laura, a talent management executive. “I make time for regular exercise, relaxation, and social interactions. It is my hobby! When I take care of myself, I am able to better manage the demands of my career and family.”
You can help prevent stress and burnout by being more intentional about setting boundaries between work and home, making a deliberate effort to switch off from work and prioritizing time for yourself.
It’s clear that we need to do better when it comes to workplace wellness, but this is a complex issue that will take time to address. In the meantime, let’s all do what we can to create more supportive environments at work. Let’s be mindful of our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our colleagues, and let’s reach out for help when we need it. Most importantly, let’s continue to raise awareness about the importance of workplace wellness so that we can start making real progress on this issue.
If you’re experiencing signs of burnout, don’t hesitate to seek help. There are many resources available to help you get back on track. With some simple changes, you can reduce the risk of burnout and stay healthy and productive in your workplace.
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I’ll be covering more on this and other important topics in my upcoming research.