Striking the Work-Life Balance: Signs of Burnout and the Power of Annual Leave
We’ve all felt the need for a break, a moment of respite to recharge, haven’t we? It’s not uncommon for many of us to feel overwhelmed by our daily responsibilities and the constant demands of work and our everyday lives.
Regular time away from your desk can do wonders for your mental health and overall well-being. So, let’s delve into the challenge we all face – finding the perfect work-life balance.
The Work-Life Balance Conundrum
The pandemic has reshaped our lives in many ways, including the blurring of lines of our professional and personal spheres. Today, we’re finding more and more people recognise the detrimental effects of prolonged stress and overworking. For many, this shift has been challenging, making it difficult to switch off from work.
Burnout over the last two years has massively been on the rise. In fact, 88% of UK employees have experienced at least some level of burnout during this time, with one third claiming to suffer from physical and mental exhaustion frequently due to pressures within the workplace. With many feeling like the lack of work life balance is the largest contributor.
Is Burnout inevitable?
Striking the right balance between professional and personal life is crucial for keeping a good physical and mental health. Annual leave can play a pivotal role in achieving this balance. It offers you a chance to disconnect from the daily grind, destress, and rejuvenate.
Everyone is different but here’s some signs to help you identify if it’s time to take a break:
Lingering Exhaustion: Feeling tired is normal, but if you find yourself perpetually exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep, it might be a burnout signal. That endless fatigue can zap your creativity faster than you can say “content calendar.”
Loss of Passion: Remember the days when you were bursting with ideas and couldn’t wait to execute them? If that enthusiasm has fizzled into indifference, it’s a sign that burnout might be lurking.
Irritability and Mood Swings: Are you snapping at colleagues, clients, or even the office plant? Burnout can make you irritable and lead to mood swings that can alienate those around you.
Decreased Productivity: If your productivity is plummeting and you’re struggling to complete tasks that used to be a breeze, it’s time to take a step back and assess your mental and emotional well-being.
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach aches, and other physical symptoms can be your body’s way of saying, “Hey, slow down!” Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious health issues down the line.
Sleep Problems: Are you tossing and turning at night, unable to switch off your brain? Sleep problems are a common symptom of burnout and can exacerbate the situation.
Neglected Self-Care: If you’ve been neglecting self-care routines like exercise, healthy eating, or spending time with loved ones, it’s a red flag. Remember, taking care of yourself is the first step in preventing burnout. Always try and make time to do the things you love and if you’re not – you likely need to take a break.
Forgetfulness and Poor Concentration: Burnout can make it challenging to focus and remember important details, which can have serious implications for your work and relationships.
Taking Action
Remember, burnout is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re human and need to take care of yourself. Now, we’re not doctors, but we do try our utmost to ensure we encourage positive mental wellbeing. As a business we encourage regular outside walks, lunches away from the office, and even offer your birthday off as small gestures to support a healthier work-life balance.
If you feel like burnout is imminent and are struggling, talk to your colleagues, employer and friends. It’s not weak to speak and shows tremendous strength. And consider taking some time off to ensure you can recharge!
Stay fresh, stay rested and keep an eye out for more well-being blogs as we speak to the team on what they do to help their mental health.
