Image by Tero Vesalainen from Pixabay
American workers are dying.
Stress kills. Relieving stress and fighting fatigue is essential for the well-being of the American workforce.
Years ago, I had a manager who worked insanely long hours, daily. Her typical mode of operation was intense for everyone. She caused her employees (and herself) unnecessary tension, every day. Like clockwork, she became ill every six to eight weeks as a result of the stress she imposed upon herself. Then, she was off the grid for five to seven days, recuperating. Her immune system was always in a weakened state. She suffered from dehydration, high blood pressure, headaches, and stomach issues as a result of burnout.
Americans have been led to believe they need to work from sun up to sun down to gain success in business. This mentality must shift. Other countries think our work habits are extreme and unhealthy. The Business Insider has a good article on this subject.
People can only take so much stress before they reach their breaking point. They will become physically ill; forced to take a rest. Stress diminishes the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. And, science has proven there is a link between stress and heart disease.
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” Lou Holtz
How can workers fight fatigue? One word: UNPLUG
Unplugging is much more than just turning off the mobile phone for the night. The mindset of unplugging is relatively new for Americans. And, it has different meanings depending on whom you ask.
Older Baby Boomers might say, “You want me to unplug my television? Why? The news is coming on, and then I want to watch the basketball game before I go to bed.”
Millennials might say, “You want me to turn off my iPhone? Are you crazy? I moderate three Facebook groups. Plus, I’m hosting a Twitter Chat in an hour. I cannot be bothered with your buzzword.”
Gen Z fully understands that to unplug is to detox. Not only from technology, but the stressors of work. This generation has a good understanding of the importance in enjoying life, in general. They innately understand that we will become ill without resting the mind.
“No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.” Dr. Joyce Brothers
Here are some ideas for unplugging:
Take short breaks throughout the day. As simple as that sounds, I know people who cannot do it. Or, is it that they won’t do it? It is a mindset shift which takes training for those that work straight through from sun up to sun down.
Power Naps. The National Sleep Foundation reports 20 to 30-minute naps have proven to improve alertness without leaving you groggy or affecting nighttime sleep patterns.
Breathing exercises or meditation. This doesn’t require a lot of time. All you need is a quiet space where you can relax and focus on your breath. Science has proven that meditation relieves stress. For those who have never enjoyed the results, start slow: five-minute sessions a couple of times a day. Harvard Medical School has an excellent article in Harvard Health Publishing on the subject. Read it here.
Connect with mother nature. Go outside. Breathe in the fresh air deeply. Enjoy the blue skies, the trees, the moon, and the stars. Walk your dog in the morning or evening or form a walking group with friends or co-workers.
Earthing. Modern lifestyle has disconnected us from the earth, which has made the body prone to inflammation, pain, and stress. Walking barefoot reconnects us to the energy of the planet and is healthy for our bodies. Let’s call this “plugging in,” because we’re essentially grounding ourselves. Read more about this fascinating discovery here.
Massage therapy reduces the effects of stress and induces feelings of emotional well-being. Blood pressure and hypertension levels are decreased, serotonin and dopamine levels are increased. This makes massage a powerful tool in the fight against stress and fatigue.
Time Management
Having witnessed what happens physically to an overworked employee, whether it is self-imposed or not…I know that stress is a ticking time bomb. The key is time management.
I can sympathize with those that might say, “By the time I think about needing a break, I’m late for my next meeting.” To these folks, I say:
Schedule your breaks. Block time on your calendar for breaks. Add a reminder for this important task. We put reminders on our schedule for everything else. Include breaks, if taking breaks doesn’t come naturally.
Delegate tasks. The expression, “there just isn’t enough time in the day,” is real. The best solution is to delegate responsibilities to trusted colleagues.
Final Thoughts
Spending time resting and relaxing doing what you love to do is imperative for good health and well-being. The alternative could be spending downtime in your bed, recuperating from physical illness. Or worse, in the hospital treated for exhaustion.
Is it time for you to think about how best to get yourself a little “me time?”