Self-Care: A Happier & Healthier You!

Hi LinkedIn friends,

I believe everyone has some degree of burnout. You may be running on adrenaline and seems that work load is piling up, social and family commitment are endless, you are not alone.???This article is the sequel on the importance of Self-Care. Happy Reading!

I would like to quote from recent statistics from CNA News & The Straits Times dated 24th Jan, 2022. Highlights regarding the increased in employees attrition rates reported by some local sectors:

a)??????“Earlier this month, Law Society president Adrian Tan said that a record 538 lawyers left the profession last year, most of whom were juniors. Young lawyers interviewed said they left legal practice because they were burnt out, encountered toxic behaviour or found that it did not match their aspirations.”

b)?????“And there are pockets of data emerging that confirm the higher attrition rates. For example, about 1,500 healthcare workers resigned in the first half of 2021, compared to about 2,000 annually before the pandemic.”

c)??????“While labour market numbers from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) do not show an increase in overall resignation rates, experts and recruiters confirmed that they are seeing signs that the trend is emerging in Singapore, with a spike across industries in people looking for something new.”

d) "Of the workers who put in extra hours daily, more than half - 53% are looking to change their jobs this year, the poll commissioned by The Straits Times.

Employees are facing burnouts, partly due to this Covid-19 pandemic, work-from-home stresses and work-related challenges. In addition, possible burnouts may happen across industries and job titles.

Caregivers, migrant workers and domestic helpers should be given opportunities to discuss any negativity encountered as they may be constantly absorbing negativity from clients, family members and different stakeholders. People who bottled up or have no idea how to release this pent-up stress may lead to undesirable consequences, both to himself and people around.

Having said, here are some possible reasons why employees are resigning:

1.??????Lack of appreciation for high performance & diligent work

2.??????Fellow colleagues resigned that led to poor team morale

3.??????Doing additional work after colleagues resigned the company (Freeze hiring)

4.??????Reprioritize personal time and space

5.??????Prefer alternatives that brings self-fulfilment.eg. hobby and other passion

Possible symptoms of burnout:

1.??????Loss of passion towards whatever you are doing

2.??????Making mistakes that you normally won’t

3.??????Feeling the inability to cope and concentrate

4.??????Procrastination

5.??????Keep you awake at night

Fun 'Bucket List' to overcome burnout for Job Seekers & Working Adults:

1.??????Take Nature Walks or Other Adrenaline Bursts

2.??????Explore Singapore (Most “instagrammable place” in the World)?

3.??????Snack Traditional Old School Tibits

4.??????Look For Volunteering Opportunities

5.??????Adjust & Plan Your Next Course of Action

Recommendations for HR professionals / Bosses to manage possible burnouts:

1.??????Managers should acknowledge & address this challenge. Is it a job mismatch? Is there a chance to redesign the work to make it more meaningful?

2.??????Show genuine appreciation to the employees. Be creative in showing your ‘Thank You’.

3. Respect rest time and do not schedule meetings during off-work hours.

4. ? Empathize and understand each employees’ progress during this post-pandemic. Offer listening ear, feel the pulse and understand how they are coping in the workplace, regularly.

5. Provide a conducive learning culture to create awareness of Self-Care and organize lunch talks on mental health & other meaningful activities.

In short, take good care of yourself and your employees in this VUCA times. Take a step back, have a gratitude mind and enjoy your work-life balance.

To all readers celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year, have a good one! Huat Ah!

Quote of the Day:

“Taking care of yourself is the most powerful way to begin to take care of others.” ~ Bryant McGill

Terence Chow is a freelance Soft Skill Trainer & Curriculum developer