Work-related burnout: How hybrid work can help

Many employees will know the feeling: You feel overwhelmed by work, have a lot of stress in your everyday life and wonder how you will manage to cope with your workload. Once these phases are over, you usually have a bit more breathing room and both your stress levels and your general well-being return to normal.

Things are different when the stressful phases never seem to end, when you think about work all the time on weekends and on vacation, and when you can no longer separate yourself from the thought of work even in your free time. The result: work burnout. According to the results of a Gallup study, 76% of all employees are affected by mild to severe symptoms of burnout during their careers. Learn how to recognize the signs of burnout in the workplace and how to prevent burnout in the workplace.

Signs of burnout at work

By now, almost everyone probably knows something about the term burnout. Initially considered a fashionable disease, awareness of stress-induced illnesses has now increased significantly. 

There are some signs of burnout at work that those affected recognize early in the course of the illness. As with all illnesses, it is extremely important to listen to the body's signals and intervene in a timely manner. Some symptoms have already been mentioned in the introduction, but the list goes on: 

1. Sleep disorders and fatigue

2. Lack of energy and motivation

3. Irritability and other personality changes

4. Declining quality of work and fear of the workplace

If you notice several of these symptoms, it's high time to put the brakes on. Remember: Your own health comes first! 

Employers are also obliged to pay attention to and value your well-being. If you feel like you're burning out, you can always take a step back without having to fear any employment law consequences.

In the next section, you will learn which measures can help you counteract the feeling of constant overload.

Tips to avoid work burnout

If you feel like things are too much at the moment and you are showing signs of burnout at work, you always have the opportunity to make adjustments yourself. This is often the first opportunity to influence your well-being.

Short breaks

• Take regular 10-15 minute breaks
• Use relaxation exercises such as deep breathing

Sleep and exercise

• Maintain a regular sleep rhythm
• Integrate exercise into your daily routine, e.g. cycling or climbing stairs

Time management

• Structure your everyday life
• Use technical tools to get an overview of upcoming tasks

Structured working day

• Set clear boundaries
• Learn to say "no" and try to avoid overtime

Separating private and professional matters

• Set clear availability times
• Apps with a rest break function can also help reduce working time

Of course, in many cases a clarifying conversation with your employer can also help. Often, people in leadership positions do not notice how their own employees are doing. This is not nice, but it is partly the reality. If your own efforts to avoid burnout are not successful, try to convince your boss to have a conversation in a quiet moment. This can both provide relief for you and send a signal to your superiors to fundamentally rethink certain processes within the company.

How hybrid work prevents workplace burnout

A possible solution to relax your nerves could also be the implementation of hybrid working. This gives employees a lot of freedom, which tends to be less common in rigid working time models. 

• Employees can, for example, decide for themselves on which days they want to work from home or come to the office. This way, stressful situations in the office and commutes can be avoided, which can demonstrably lead to a more relaxed working attitude. 

• In addition, a lower attendance rate in the office can ensure that the noise level is reduced and a more relaxed working atmosphere prevails. 

• Hybrid working time models are often also part of New Work. A corporate culture that gives employees more freedom, breaks down traditional hierarchies and gives everyone the feeling that they can openly address issues such as workload management and error culture.

Flexopus - the solution for hybrid working

In the dynamic world of New Work, Flexopus plays a key role as a pioneer in desk sharing, a central element of flexible working arrangements. Flexopus is much more than an app for sharing desks, meeting rooms, and parking spaces; it promotes collaboration and creates an environment where the workplace adapts to the needs of employees:

• Features

Find your perfectly tailored workplace: With self-configurable features such as dual monitors or height-adjustable tables, you will always find your ideal workplace.

• Live plan

Where exactly am I sitting today? Which colleagues are in which location and where can I ask my IT questions directly to the specialist staff? With the Live Plan, these questions are a thing of the past. Just click and off you go!

• Mobile app

If your own bed was a little too cozy in the morning, you can still book your ideal seat for the day directly via the practical smartphone app before you leave the apartment, even if you are short on time. Stress-free arrival guaranteed!

• Employee overview

Collaborative work is more in demand than ever in the modern working world. If you work in agile teams, you can book your ideal workspace directly with the colleagues you work with on your projects.

• Mobile working

Is the office full or is everyday life catching up with you unexpectedly? Let your colleagues know that you are taking a well-deserved day off from work today and book your mobile office in the comfort of your own home.

This innovative tool demonstrates how modern working principles can be put into practice and is therefore an indispensable tool for companies that want to assert themselves in the new world of work.

Summary

It is important to recognize and counteract signs of burnout such as sleep disorders, fatigue, lack of motivation and anxiety about work at an early stage. Remember: Employers have a duty to protect the well-being of their employees!

To avoid burnout, it is important to take regular breaks, implement sufficient sleep and exercise into your daily routine, establish good time management and maintain a clear separation between work and private life.

If you integrate these points into your daily work routine, you can reduce your chances of developing a stress disorder and enjoy your work and everyday life more!