The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially added burnout to its International Classification of Diseases, defining it as “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
It is characterized by three dimensions:
1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
2) increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
3) reduced professional efficacy.
Stress is Contagious
Harvard Business Review categorizes stress as an emotional contagion, similar to that of the flu. Just as the flu can quickly spread through a work environment, stress is also contagious and its effects are compounded because one stressed coworker or leader can create stress in their environment.
This is due to mirror neurons. Over the past 20 years, scientists identified a distinctive type of neurons–mirror neurons-that discharge both when an individual executes an activity or behaviour and when he/she observes another individual performing the same or a similar act.
Fortunately, mindfulness can act like a vaccine for stress.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., a pioneer of modern-day application of mindfulness defines it as: ➢”The awareness that arises through paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the moment, and without judgment.”
This definition highlights three key components:
1.”On purpose” Paying deliberate attention and being aware of and placing your attention on that which you choose.
2.”In the moment” Engaging your attention on the task at hand instead of on the replay of memories or events or plans or hopes of the future. You are aware of what you are doing while you are doing it. It’s moment-to-moment awareness of the actual experience of your life. Noticing what is arising in your mind, body and emotions.
3.”Without judgment” You simply pay attention to experiences as they arise, without labeling or judging what is happening, or being tense about it. Nonjudgment is a natural state of your awareness: it’s present, open and gentle.
Your attention doesn’t judge, resist or attach to anything. Instead, it’s your mind, including the ego and the self-image, which is in charge of that.
Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention. Attention is a currency, and your ability to use it wisely can make a significant difference in your productivity, relationships, satisfaction, and overall happiness.
Mindfulness Check-In
To bring mindfulness into any moment, here are three basic questions to ask yourself:
1) What’s happening right now? What am I actually experiencing (thinking, feeling, sensing, seeing, hearing, tasting, and smelling) in this very moment?
2) What’s my reaction to it? Am I judging it, trying to change or control it, trying to get away from it? Am I open to it? Accepting it? Am I letting it be?
3) Given what I’m experiencing now, what’s the wisest and kindest response I can make? Eventually, you soon learn to ignore distractions and will be able to string together many mindful moments as you refocus on the actual experience you are engaged in.
Think of mindfulness practice as a basic training for situational awareness. You’ll become more present, focused, self-aware and self-accepting.
The Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy states that, “balancing the competing demands of work and personal life can be difficult to achieve. Just as work plays a significant part in all of our lives, aspects of our personal lives can also support or hinder our health and wellness at work. A healthy work-life balance reduces stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace. Not only can it improve productivity and performance, it is also important for physical health and relationships.”
Effects of employee burnout: (According to a 2018 Gallup Survey)
•63% more likely to take a sick day
•23% more likely to visit the emergency room.
•2.6 times as likely to actively seek another job and leave their current employer
•13% less confident in their performance
•½ as likely to discuss how to approach performance goals with their manager
Supporting your troops can be as simple as 1,2,3.
- contact your local Health Promotion Kingston Team to set up a unit environmental scan
- Request a unit Mental Fitness and Suicide Awareness MITE coded course, and/or;
- Register for the next Stress! Take Charge program
Health Promotion is here to provide support services to decrease stress in the workplace through programming that will improve productivity, performance, health and relationships.
Contact us today for a stress-free tomorrow!
Strengthening the Forces: Health Promotion services and contact:
Strengthening the Forces is a health promotion program designed to assist Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, Regular and Primary Reserve, to take control of their health and well-being. Maintaining a high level of health improves one’s ability to perform effectively and safely on CAF operations, and to enjoy a high quality of life. Some programs are also available to families and other members of the Defense Team.
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Website: https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion.aspx
Email: HealthPromotionKingston@cfmws.com
Phone: 613-541-5010 x3992
