Mental exhaustion, also known as burnout, is a state of emotional, physical and mental fatigue caused by chronic stress. It can manifest as feelings of overwhelm, cynicism, detachment, irritability, low motivation and reduced productivity. If left unchecked, it can lead to serious health problems such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, heart disease and immune system disorders.
As a leader or manager, you have a responsibility to support your workers and help them cope with the challenges of the holiday season. Here are some signs that your workers may be experiencing mental exhaustion and some tips on how to help them.
Signs of mental exhaustion
There are some key signs that can indicate your workers may be experiencing higher-than-normal holiday stress or anxiety, especially during this busy time of year, such as:
– Change in normal behavior, such as becoming uncharacteristically irritable or withdrawn
– Change in appearance or hygiene
– Lack of focus or concentration
– Decreased quality or quantity of work output
– Increased absenteeism or tardiness
– Frequent complaints or grievances
– Loss of interest or enthusiasm for work or hobbies
– Difficulty making decisions or solving problems
– Feeling hopeless, helpless or trapped
– Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, fatigue or insomnia
If you notice any of these signs in your workers, it is important to address them as soon as possible and offer them support and resources.
Tips to help your workers
Here are some ways you can help your workers manage their holiday stress and prevent or reduce mental exhaustion:
– Ramp up your mental health program. If you already have wellness benefits in place, remind your workers about them and encourage them to use them. For example, you can direct them to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which can provide confidential counseling, referrals and other services. You can also motivate them to use your wellness program by holding challenges or incentives. For example, you can encourage them to do a guided meditation every week and reward them with a gift card or a day off. If you don’t have a mental health program yet, now is a great time to add one to your benefits package. You can look for online platforms that offer easy access to mental health professionals, such as Nivati.
– Encourage taking breaks. One of the best ways to combat stress and burnout is to take regular breaks throughout the day. Breaks can help your workers recharge their energy, clear their minds and improve their mood. You set an example by taking breaks yourself and encouraging your workers to do the same. Also, you can create a culture of respect for breaks by not sending emails or messages during non-work hours or expecting immediate responses. You can also provide opportunities for your workers to take breaks together, such as organizing virtual coffee chats or happy hours.
– Teach your managers how to support their teams. Your managers play a crucial role in creating a positive and supportive work environment for your workers. They can help prevent or reduce mental exhaustion by being empathetic, flexible and communicative with their teams. You should train your managers on how to recognize the signs of mental exhaustion in their workers and how to offer them support and resources. Strive to empower your managers to make adjustments to their team’s workload, schedule or goals if needed. You can also provide feedback and recognition to your managers for their efforts in supporting their teams.
– Follow along to a holiday stress meditation. Meditation is a proven technique to reduce stress and promote well-being. It can help your workers calm their nervous system, relax their body and mind, and cope with negative emotions. Try introducing your workers to meditation by following along to a guided meditation together. There are many free online meditations for holiday stress on platforms such as YouTube or Spotify that you can easily find and utilize. You can choose a time that works for everyone and invite them to join you on a video call. You can also ask them to share their experiences after the meditation and how they feel.
The holiday season can be stressful for many people, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or exhausting. By recognizing the signs of mental exhaustion in your workers and offering them support and resources, you can help them enjoy the holidays and stay healthy and productive at work.
