Recognizing Work-Related Stress and How a Well-Being Strategy Combats Microstress and Burnout

By Moon Harper

Feb 21, 2024 05:16 AM EST

When people think of burnout, they often focus on feeling helpless and cynical, but burnout can also cause physical symptoms. In a 2021 survey of 1,500 U.S. workers, over half reported feeling burned out due to job demands.

What is Burnout?

According to Dr. Lotte Dyrbye from the Mayo Clinic, burnout is not a medical condition but a result of long-term stress. The World Health Organization defines burnout as exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness due to workplace stress, where you may struggle to meet deadlines, feel frustrated, and become irritable with coworkers, explained Jeanette M. Bennett, a researcher from the University of North Carolina.

How to Recognize Stress in Our Body?

According to Dr. Bennett, stress can take a toll on the body, leading to physical symptoms that trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. These hormones can be helpful in the short term by providing energy to tackle challenges but tend to be harmful to the body over time.

Here's how you can recognize burnout in your body:

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common symptom of burnout, says Dr. Dyrbye. During the pandemic's peak, 55% of frontline healthcare workers with burnout experienced difficulty falling asleep, and 40% had nightmares. Chronic stress disrupts the complex system regulating sleep, creating a harmful cycle, and if you are having trouble sleeping, lack of sleep can worsen the situation.

Physical Exhaustion

Physical exhaustion is another common sign. Dr. Gold experienced fatigue as a key symptom of burnout, noticing herself needing to sleep every day after work, which she later recognized as a sign of burnout.

Changes in Eating Habits

Changes in eating habits can also indicate burnout. Stress hormones can reduce hunger during times of stress and increase it when stress levels decrease.

Headaches and Stomachaches

Burnout can lead to headaches and stomachaches, according to Dr. Gold. In a study of individuals with exhaustion disorder, 67% reported experiencing symptoms like nausea, gas, or indigestion, while 65% had headaches. Burnout coexists with depression or anxiety, both producing physical symptoms. Depression causes muscle aches, stomachaches, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite, while anxiety causes headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath.

How Can a Company's Employee Well-Being Strategy Address this Trend?

Employers are now prioritizing emotional well-being. According to Aon's 2022-2023 Global Wellbeing Survey, mental health emerged as the most commonly cited concern among employees, mentioned by 41% of respondents in their top five issues. While this reflects the growing focus on mental health in recent years, burnout and languishing were the second most mentioned challenges, cited by 34% of respondents.

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to reducing microstress, here are some proven strategies that can be effective:

Utilize workplace assessments already in place. Engagement surveys, health risk assessments covering emotional health, and focus groups can help leaders pinpoint the factors behind micro stress and burnout. Companies can start tackling the underlying issues by examining the frequency, intensity, and duration of these factors.
Take proactive steps based on the assessment results. Involve key stakeholders from various departments to tackle areas needing improvement. A proactive approach can promote a healthier and more supportive workplace culture.
Give managers the authority to uphold team culture in line with company values, as they play a crucial role in promoting and enforcing well-being policies and practices.
Take a data-driven approach to assess work design. This enables senior leaders to track progress and promptly address emerging issues using a structured process.