NIPPING signs of burnout in the bud early is vital.
Claire Neal, head of workplace mental health at Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org), tells Sun Health: “Managers should be having regular check-ins with their staff.”
It’s vital to nip signs of burnout in the bud before they become too much to handleGetty
And as individuals, there’s lots you can do too. Claire explains:
SELF CARE: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, find a safe person to talk to.
Most organisations have mental health first aiders trained to listen and signpost you towards help.
Also, explore staff networks for support.
ACTION PLAN: Visit Mental Health UK’s website for free downloadable resources and wellness action plans to complete with your manager.
These cover burnout symptoms, what you need from your colleagues and ways to work that could make you more productive.
OPEN UP: Check if your workplace has an Employee Assistance Programme. It’s a free, confidential service.
Employees can usually ring a free 24/7 line to speak to a counsellor.
ROLE MODEL: For managers, set an example with your own good behaviour.
Have lunch breaks, ensure you don’t send staff messages and emails outside working hours and take annual leave.
It’s about building a mentally healthy culture of, “You’re valuable, I’m valuable. I’ve got to look after myself and I expect you to do the same.”
BE WELL: Take a step back and think, “What can I do for myself?”.
Things can snowball if good quality sleep, nutrition and rest aren’t in the mix, making everything seem much worse than it is.