Burnout, stress & mental health at the working place: How to address them

???? According to a recent Workplace Health Report, a staggering 60% of workers exhibit symptoms of anxiety, 56% experience depression, and 76% report moderate to high levels of stress. These alarming statistics are a cause for concern, as prolonged periods of high stress can lead to burnout and other mental health-related symptoms.

If left unaddressed, these symptoms can negatively impact the employee's personal life and job performance. Indicators such as irritability, lack of focus, decreased productivity, tension with co-workers, and disconnectedness may suggest that something is amiss. Recognizing these signs is especially important the IT sector, where stress is associated with key roles such as Data Science & Machine Learning, DevOps, IT Project Management, and Business Analysts.

Ignoring mental health in the workplace can come at a high cost for businesses. The financial costs of reduced productivity, absenteeism, and employee turnover can be considerable, while the personal toll on employees can lead to a reduced quality of life. It's essential that both employers and employees prioritize mental health and take proactive steps to address stress and burnout in the workplace.

?? What companies can do?

???Don’t ignore the warning signs: managers or HR specialists should be trained to recognize the symptoms of mental health conditions. Create a strategy for how to lend a helping hand to struggling employees.

???Develop a mental health protocol: every organization should have a policy that acknowledges the?significance of mental well-being at the workplace and sets guidelines on how to approach it.

???Talk openly about mental health: remove the stigma through education and helpful information.

???Make the first step: talk openly to your employees about the negative effects of stress and burnout. Assure them that in case they need support, you can provide them with additional guidance and access to mental health programs.

???Provide on-site mental health support: have a full-time counseling specialist in your company or hire an external agency

?? ?? What approach IT specialists can take?

?? Practice awareness - getting to know better your emotions will help you identify what makes you feel stressed. From there you can come up with a counteraction plan.

?? Don’t skip sports - physical activity has a positive impact on one's mental state. So do not skip that yoga class again or miss out on the chance to join your colleagues for an after-work football game.

?? Spend time in nature - one-day hiking or a full-blown vacation in the mountains or near the beach is always a good idea, don’t you think?

?? Learn how to set boundaries - don’t let your work responsibilities interfere with your personal life. Respect your free time and make it clear that others should do the same.

?? Say YES to good sleep - don’t ignore your body’s needs and natural rhythm. Sleep is important and you know it.

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