Ask a woman how she feels, and after the first cursory “Everything is fine, thank you!” you'll most likely hear the word “tired.” Most of us—except for those annoying people you know who somehow always look glowy and don't have dark circles—are exhausted as hell. We are so busy doing things that we desperately need proper rest. It is not surprising that women are more likely to write in search engines how to cope with burnout.
ContentWhat is the fatigue gap? How to deal with burnout at work Be open and honest when you're struggling Learn to say “no” comfortably Find things that help you relax Make self-care a priority Find the right place for you
This phenomenon is called the “fatigue gap.” WomanEL will tell you what can be done about this.
What is a fatigue gap?
The fatigue gap is a term that describes the huge impact of work fatigue (both in the office and at home) on women. Statistics show that women are more likely to experience burnout and stress when they juggle the demands of their careers with home and caregiving responsibilities. We struggle to find any semblance of work-life balance. But long, stressful hours leave us with little time and energy for even basic self-care, let alone achieving our other goals.
“It is clear that women in the workplace experience higher levels of burnout and fatigue, than men,” LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davis told Stylist. “Over the past few years, we have all felt additional stress. And while flexible working arrangements are intended to help, our research still shows that one in five women believe it is more difficult to achieve work-life balance compared to the previous 20 years.”
“Without the right balance, burnout can occur. And, if we don't notice the signs and take action early, our health can be seriously affected. It is important to have an open and transparent conversation about the help and support we need when things get too difficult. We also need to know where to find tools that will help us better cope with these particularly difficult times in our lives.”
How to deal with burnout at work
How can we begin to overcome imbalances and combat burnout? Davis shares five tips:
Be open and honest when you're struggling
“It's much healthier for you and your employer to admit that you're struggling and feeling overwhelmed, rather than suffering in silence,” says Davis. “Having an open and honest conversation with your boss and developing a plan together will help you manage your workload and avoid burnout.”
Learn to say “no” comfortably
Here's a hard fact: you can't do everything. You can't just keep pushing through when your workload is too heavy. And you can't keep taking on more and more because you're a people pleaser and a perfectionist who just wants to do a good job. Sometimes you really have to say “no” and “I have too much to do.”
Davis notes: “According to a recent study commissioned by LinkedIn, almost half (47%) of women who believe that supporting Positive work-life balance is more difficult, with “grind culture” now said to be one of the key contributing factors. It's important to be able to set boundaries in both work and personal life so that we have time to rest and recover.”
Find things to help you relax
“Finding the right tools can help you stay calm and feel in control in challenging situations, and also means you're more likely to switch off after a stressful day at work,” suggests Davis.
You could try mindfulness meditation or repeating affirmations. Experiment to find what helps you feel less overwhelmed by the daily tasks at work.
Make self-care a priority
The better you take care of yourself, the better you will perform, Source: freepik.com
Another fact that can be difficult to accept. You can't do your best job if you don't take care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, taking breaks, eating nutritious foods, getting fresh air, and consciously taking steps to manage your stress levels.
Davis recommends: “Try to do something that makes you feel a little less stressed—it could be something small, like a walk around the block during lunch. The more you invest in yourself, the more you will be able to give back to both your work and personal commitments.”
Find the right place for you
“Maintaining a work-life balance is often the same, no matter what skills and techniques you use can be difficult if your workplace doesn't support it,” Davis tells us. “If you've tried any of the above and aren't happy with where you are, it might be time to look elsewhere.”
Do you think you really need to quit your job? Here are 3 signs that indicate this.
