Work-related burnout: How hybrid work can help

Many employees can relate to this feeling: you feel overwhelmed by work, experience a lot of daily stress, and wonder how you're supposed to manage your workload. Once these periods pass, you usually have a bit more breathing room, and both your stress levels and general well-being normalize again.

It's a different story when stressful periods never seem to end, you constantly think about work on weekends and holidays, and can't disconnect from thoughts of work even in your free time. The consequence: work-related burnout. According to a Gallup study, 76% of all employees experience symptoms of burnout, ranging from mild to severe, during their careers. Learn how to recognize the signs of burnout at work and how to practice burnout prevention in the workplace.

Signs of Burnout at Work

By now, almost everyone is probably familiar with the term burnout. Initially dismissed as a trendy illness, awareness of stress-induced conditions has now significantly increased. 

There are several signs of burnout at work that affected individuals can recognize early in the course of the condition. As with all illnesses, it is extremely important to listen to your body's signals and intervene in time. Some symptoms have already been mentioned in the introduction, but the list goes on: 

1. Sleep disturbances and fatigue

2. Lack of energy and demotivation

3. Irritability and other personality changes

4. Declining work quality and fear of the workplace

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

Employers are also obligated to look after your well-being and to value it. If you feel like you're burning out, you can always take a step back without fear of employment law repercussions.

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

Tips to Avoid Work-Related Burnout

If you feel that it's currently too much and signs of burnout at work are appearing, you always have the opportunity to make your own adjustments. Often, this is the first way to influence your well-being.

Short Breaks

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

Sleep and Exercise

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Integrate exercise into your daily routine, e.g., cycling or taking the stairs

Time Management

• Structure your daily routine
• Use technical tools to get an overview of upcoming tasks

Structured Workday

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

Separate work and personal life

• Set clear availability times
• Apps with break reminder functions can also help reduce working hours

Of course, a clarifying conversation with your employer can often help. People in leadership positions often don't notice how their employees are doing. While this isn't ideal, it's sometimes the reality. So, if your own efforts to avoid burnout aren't fruitful, try to convince your boss to have a conversation during a quiet moment. This can provide you with relief and also signal to management that they should fundamentally rethink certain internal company processes.

How hybrid work prevents burnout in the workplace

A possible solution for easing your mind could also be the implementation of hybrid work . This gives employees a lot of flexibility that is typically less common in rigid working hour models. 

• For example, employees can decide for themselveswhich days they want to work from home or come into the office. This allows them to avoid stressful situations in the office and commutes for commuters, which can lead to a demonstrably more relaxed work attitude. 

• Furthermore, a lower Office attendance rate ensuring that noise levels decrease and a more relaxed work atmosphere prevails. 

• Hybrid work models are often also part of New Work. A company culturethat gives employees more freedom, breaks down traditional hierarchies, and aims to give everyone a feeling of being able to openly address topics like workload management and error culture.

Flexopus - the solution for hybrid work

In the dynamic world of New Work, Flexopus plays a key role as a pioneer in desk sharing, a central element of flexible work arrangements. Flexopus is far more than just 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 workspace: With self-configurable features such as dual monitors or height-adjustable desks, you'll always find your ideal workspace.

• Live Plan

Where exactly am I sitting today? Which colleagues are where, and where can I ask my IT questions directly to the specialists? With the Live Plan these questions are a thing of the past. Simply click and get started!

• Mobile App

If your bed was a little too comfortable this morning, you can still book your ideal workspace for the day directly via the convenient Flexopus smartphone app before leaving home, even if you're short on time. Guaranteed stress-free arrival!

• Employee Overview

Collaborative work is more in demand than ever in the modern workplace. If you work in agile teams, you can book your ideal workspace directly next to the colleagues you're collaborating with on your projects.

• Mobile Work

Is the office full, or has daily life unexpectedly caught up with you? Let your colleagues know that you're taking a well-deserved work-from-home day today and comfortably book your mobile office from home.

This innovative tool demonstrates how modern work principles can be practically implemented, making it an indispensable aid for companies looking to thrive in the new world of work.

Summary

It's crucial to recognize early signs of burnout, such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, lack of motivation, and work-related anxiety, and to take countermeasures. Remember: employers are obligated to protect the well-being of their employees!

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

By integrating these points into your daily work life, you can reduce your chances of developing a stress-related disorder and regain more enjoyment in your work and daily life!