The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted work and self-perception in several ways. One way is that it has encouraged more people to work remotely (aka a hybrid model), which has altered how work is performed and viewed. It has also increased workloads and job insecurity resulting in feelings of stress and uncertainty.

For new hires, it has presented challenges few had to face before the WFH (work from home) model, and limited opportunities to interact with other employees physically. This can erode essential aspects of corporate culture, loyalty, and expectations regarding promotions and learning.

The pandemic has also changed people’s sense of who they are personally and professionally. Some people may feel that their work has more meaning now, while others may re-evaluate their priorities. Now, in addition to the WFH model, we need to consider the decrease from a five-day-a-week model to one day less.

A four-day workweek may seem like a pipe dream to some, but it’s a reality for many companies and employees. There are benefits to working a four-day workweek, including:

1. Increased Productivity

Compressing work into four days may mean fewer co-worker interruptions, meetings, or phone calls. A block of time can be cleared for intense work activity mixed with time to relax and refresh a bit without the regimented time constraints of the “coffee break.” Here, the idea meshes well with the Pomodoro Technique.

Does anyone know why coffee breaks were instituted? Lore has it that health insurance played a role in a belief that decreased stress led to healthier employees and less use of health insurance benefits, which lowered premiums for employers.

A coffee break encourages workers to talk to each other, which leads to more creative ways to solve problems at work. Scientists at Bell Labs may have developed the first transistors around the coffee cart.

2. Improved Work/Life Balance

Your work/life balance may be enhanced by working four days a week. Three days off will give you more time to focus on your personal life and interests.

3. Less Stress

Stress levels may decrease if you work fewer hours. You’ll be less stressed because you’ll have more time to unwind, enjoy your personal life, and engage in hobbies. The value of hobbies cannot be overstated. This may result in a more upbeat attitude toward work and a decline in stress-related health issues.

4. More Time for Family and Friends

A four-day workweek leaves more time for family and friends. One challenge the pandemic presented was restrictions on interactions with family, friends, and even neighbors. You can use your three-day weekends to take a break from the hustle and bustle of work and restore and strengthen these ties.

5. Increased Job Satisfaction

Four-day work weeks generally result in happier workers who are more content with their positions. This is probably because they think they have a better work-life balance and less stress at work.

There are benefits, but there are also problems that come with less office interaction and less supervision of employee activities by management. Let’s say a company decided that watching their workers’ computer keystrokes would be a good way to ensure they were working. Having Big Brother lurking over your shoulder while you’re working isn’t very comforting.

A healthy mix of WFH and occasional office visits might be a suitable solution. Who’s going to do the research?

The post Working Less Is Not Goofing Off — It Makes Mental Health Sense appeared first on Medika Life.

You probably know what I am talking about — those meetings where it seems as though a limited number of people want to hear their voice.

For many of us, with non-productive meetings comes stress and fatigue. Productivity can take a hit, too. You will not be surprised to learn that one survey reported 83 percent of the meetings on their calendars were unproductive.

Professionals in the United States rated meetings as the leading office productivity killer.

Today, I want to look more broadly than unproductive meetings. Let’s examine work burnout, including a new study showing how it can change your brain.

Job burnout — Do you have it?

To determine whether you may be burning out, ask yourself these questions:

• Have you become cynical in the workplace?
• Do you dread going to work and have challenges getting going?
• Are you impatient or irritable?
• Are you non-productive because you lack energy?
• Is it challenging for you to concentrate?
• Do achievements provide no satisfaction to you?
• Are you disillusioned about your job?
• Are you using alcohol, drugs, or food to feel better or not feel?
• Have you had negative changes to your sleep?
• Do you have physical ails such as stomach problems or headaches?

Did you answer yes to any? If so, you may be suffering from job burnout. Please consider talking to a healthcare provider or a mental health professional because these symptoms can also be related to health conditions such as depression.

Job burnout — Stress can change your brain

Chronic stress can contribute to physical and psychological problems. But does our brain change structurally? Researchers recently provided insight into what happens to the brain when under stress.

U.T. Health San Antonio researchers discovered memory loss and brain shrinkage occurring before stress symptoms emerged.

Study author Sudha Seshadri, M.D. explains that the brain’s matter can thin in the prefrontal cortex. This brain region enables appropriate behavior and insights into ourselves and others.

We also use the prefrontal cortex for complex decision-making and abstract reasoning.

These structural changes can translate to a compromise in our ability to pay attention and retain memories. We have more challenges learning and have a higher chance of making mistakes.

There is more: Burnout and related stress can make our “fight or flight” center (the amygdala) more prominent. This part of our brain can generate emotions such as fear, with an increase in its size potentially causing us to see the world as harmful (when it is not).

Mice studies hint that we may be able to reverse these brain changes. In addition, a 2018 human study showed that the amygdala size could be reduced and the prefrontal cortex changes brought back to pre-stress levels.

I want to keep the negative brain changes from occurring in the first place. The locus of control — feeling we are in charge — can go a long way to preventing negative brain changes from occurring.

Job burnout — An action plan

Let’s look at some ways you may fight burnout. First, discuss your concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can change expectations or re-set goals.

Getting physical activity is a crucial element to dodging work-related burnout. I am also trying to incorporate stress reducers such as meditation and yoga. I did tai chi during my Shito-Ryu karate days. Do you practice some form of mindfulness?

I would be remiss if I did not mention sleep, as it can be critical to protecting your health. Finally, reach out; get support from co-workers, friends, or loved ones. While I have not had burnout issues, I am glad that my workplace has an employee assistance program.

Don’t let a demanding job undermine your psychological and physical well-being. If you feel you need help, please get it, whether through an employee assistance program, a therapist, a psychologist, or your primary care doctor.

The post Did You Know Burning Out Changes Your Brain? appeared first on Medika Life.