The Burnout Struggle among Women in the Workplace

By a show of hands, how many women reading this article right now are often overwhelmed with balancing work, family, and personal life? My guess is if your hand isn’t in the air, it’s because you’ve got a cup of coffee in one hand, the green smoothie you’re trying to pretend to love in the other…along with a crying kid and a yoga mat – all while making sure your Zoom camera stays off during your conference call because you didn’t have time to do your hair this morning.??

Whether that’s today’s reality or a situation you’ve encountered before, you’ve probably experienced the challenges of juggling many priorities that rest solely on your plate. Simply put, modern life is demanding, especially for women, and it can lead to an overwhelming, quiet struggle: burnout. Fortune recently revealed that nearly 50 percent of women in the workforce experience symptoms of burnout, which include exhaustion, dread, inability to focus, inability to sleep, depression, and much more. In short, it’s incapacitating and can take years to fully recover from.??

Understanding Burnout (from a Woman’s Perspective)?

As a long-time corporate executive, I have experienced many burnout symptoms throughout my career. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen these symptoms in countless of my female colleagues. Burnout is often sparked by job demands or professional pressure no matter who you are, and the same is true for women. However, women typically add on the predominantly heavier load of community, family, caregiver, and social responsibilities. And let’s add in the desire for personal growth and ambition. Our lives can feel like a juggling act.??

Although we’ve come a long way with breaking down gendered roles in the past few decades, a study by the Pew Research Center found that, even though women’s financial contributions have grown steadily over the last century, they typically perform the majority of responsibilities at home, regardless of their financial contributions. The study also revealed that women spend an average of two hours or more per week on caregiving and about two and a half hours more on housework in the home.??

Although there is a clear disparity, it does not mean that women should limit themselves. Finding a sustainable balance is key to preventing burnout while still achieving everything your heart desires.?

Finding Balance?

Today, many women are working to excel in all aspects of their lives—professional, financial, family, and more—and they should. There is nothing wrong with focusing on many areas, and doing less is not the answer. Rather, prioritizing goals and taking time to reduce your stress load as you strive for excellence will help you manage it all.??

Here are a few ways that everyone can avoid feeling burnout:?

• Set clear boundaries: Communicate with employers and family members about availability, comfort levels, respect, and what you value. It is okay to say no. And most importantly remember that often we are the ones to cross our own boundaries long before someone else does. Be your own best advocate.?

• Prioritize your self-care: Don’t let your work infringe on your self-care. Prioritize exercise, eating healthy, meditation, and other self-care techniques. Leave time for leisure and activities that you truly enjoy. Your brain and your body need balance.?

• Foster supportive networks: Make and maintain healthy relationships that can support you in difficult times. A little “You got this!” from a bestie can go a long way when you need a pick-me-up as well as those who hold you accountable.?

Check out this full list from Mayo Clinic for more ideas on how to reduce stress and live a happier life.? ? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

Advocating for Change at a Higher Level?

According to Forbes, more than 50 percent “say their stress levels are higher than they were a year ago, and almost half feel burned out.” Additionally, “one-third have taken time off work because of mental health challenges,” but only 43 percent “feel comfortable talking about these challenges in the workplace.” Not feeling like you can discuss these issues with superiors and colleagues is incredibly problematic. Societal norms are still challenging, while the fear of judgement and reduced confidence from others in our abilities looms heavily.??

As we take personal steps to create balance and relaxation in our busy lives, recognition on a systemic scale is also necessary. Corporations need to continue fostering supportive cultures and flexible work environments. Managers and employees alike need to consider how workplace culture can be improved to support women experiencing unhealthy stress.?

Here are a few things that employers can do to help women feel more supported in the workplace:??

• Support fair career growth opportunities: Provide mentoring and upskilling programs in the workplace and support female colleagues working toward leadership roles.??

• Allow for open communication: As a leader, create a safe, welcoming environment where women can talk openly about their workload, stress management, and achievements.??

• Implement support programs: Having flexible programs that support work–life balance and family leave gives companies a competitive edge. According to an eight-year study by Morgan Stanley Research, doing so also helps companies attract top talent.??

According to Morgan Stanley Research, “a more diverse workforce, as represented by women across all levels of the organization, is correlated with higher average returns.” Additionally, more gender diversity results in superior performance and employee engagement. Workplaces need women, and taking the steps to create a supportive work environment ultimately benefits everyone.?

Let’s empower each other to break the cycle of normalized female burnout and establish better standards for life balance. I’m challenging myself to commit to prioritizing self-care, wellness, leisure, and enjoyment outside of work.? Will you speak up to your employers and colleagues when you need time to recoup or do you see opportunities to extend room for wellness around you? Let’s work together to support women and all team members in balancing all aspects of life as we strive for excellence.?

If we work together, the only thing burning out will be our tires as we race down the road of success!?