In today’s fast-paced work environment, feeling overwhelmed and overworked is not uncommon. Burnout, often described as feeling mentally exhausted and emotionally drained, is a serious issue that can significantly impact your well-being and productivity. Here at DiRAD Technologies, we have open conversations about mental health and provide proper resources to our employees to help avoid scenarios such as that.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and continued stress. It can make individuals feel drained, unable to meet demands, and uninterested in their work or personal life. Symptoms of burnout may include pushing away friends and family, loss of interest in hobbies, headaches, and anxiety.
What are the stigmas around mental health?
Despite the increasing awareness of mental health issues, there is still a stigma surrounding discussing and seeking help for mental health concerns. Some common stigmas include believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness or that individuals suffering from mental health issues are “crazy.”
It is important to recognize that when it comes to mental health, you are not alone. Many more people experience mental health challenges than we might realize. These stigmas make it difficult for those suffering to come forward with what’s going on. Here at DiRAD, we continue to increase awareness and understanding around mental health issues, which can help combat misinformation and stereotypes and help those who are suffering in silence to come forward. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, burnout, or any other mental health condition, there are people all over the world who are facing similar battles.
How to prevent burnout?
To help prevent and manage burnout, employees can set aside time for themselves, take breaks away from work, and be open and honest about their feelings. Additionally, utilizing resources provided to them like EAP, practicing gratitude journaling, meditation, and seeking professional help when needed can be helpful. A practice many have found helpful is stoicism. Stoicism offers valuable tools for managing stress and worrying by encouraging a mindset focused on resilience, emotional regulation, and practical wisdom. Here’s how stoicism can help in these areas:
● Differentiating Between Controllables and Uncontrollables: One of the core principles of stoicism is distinguishing between what we can control and what we can’t. Stoics argue that most of our stress and worry come from trying to control things beyond our influence, such as the behavior of others or certain life outcomes.
● Reframing Our Perspective: Stoicism teaches that our judgments and reactions to events cause stress and worry, not the events themselves. By changing how we interpret and react to situations, we can maintain our calm and composure.
● Practicing Mindfulness and Presence: Stoicism encourages living in the present moment and not getting overwhelmed by past regrets or future anxieties. This mindful approach helps manage stress by keeping one’s focus on the here and now, where one’s power to effect change actually lies.
How does DiRAD help employees?
DiRAD recognizes the importance of mental health and offers various resources to support its employees. This includes providing paid time off and encouraging employees to use it by implementing our use it or lose it policy. We partner with a local Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Adirondack EAP, which offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and their immediate family members.
How can I support my co-workers?
Openly discussing mental health can help create a supportive work environment. By keeping an eye out for changes in behavior and offering support to coworkers, we can all play a role in addressing mental health concerns in the workplace.
In conclusion, burnout is a serious issue that can negatively affect an individual’s well-being. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of burnout, seeking help when needed, and promoting a culture of openness and support, we can work towards creating a healthier and more positive work environment for everyone.
Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Here at DiRAD, we will continue to prioritize mental health. #TeamDiRAD