Women and the Burnout Crisis: How to Get Your Life Back & Reclaim Your Joy
A Call to Action
“Help!”, “I’m drowning”, “I can’t juggle it all”, “I’m the only one who can do this”....
Women are in the midst of a burnout crisis. Far too many are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling like they can't keep up with all of their daily tasks. This is a problem with far-reaching consequences, and it's time we started doing something about it.
Burnout is not just a feeling of being tired or stressed. It's a serious condition that can have a devastating impact on your physical and mental health. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even physical illness. It can also damage your relationships with your family and friends.
The Rising Rate of Burnout Among Women
According to an analysis by Great Place to Work and healthcare startup Maven, nearly 35 million working mothers in the United States suffer from workplace burnout. The survey of 440,000 working parents, including 226,000 mothers, found that 9.8 million working mothers in the U.S. are suffering from burnout.
Additionally, a study conducted by McKinsey and Lean In shows that burnout has been rising for women since the pandemic. Their Women In The Workplace 2021 report shows that women experience burnout more than men and that the burnout gap between women and men has almost doubled since the previous year.
Making Room For Joy
So what are working mothers - and women in general - to do to resolve their burnout? While there are several things companies can do to alleviate the stress such as providing flexible work arrangements, creating a supportive work environment and implementing benefits, they don’t offer the specific tools necessary to establish and maintain balance between their work and personal lives. Or, more importantly, in establishing and maintaining balance between their work and their joy.
In a study conducted in three countries by Dr. Paul Hanel of the University of Essex's Department of Psychology, it was found that people who prioritize achievement over enjoyment are less happy the next day. On the other hand, those who strive for freedom to pursue something joyful reported a 13% increase in well-being, including better sleep quality and life satisfaction. Participants who tried to relax and pursue their hobbies experienced an average well-being boost of 8% and a 10% decrease in stress and anxiety.
Dr. Hanel said, “There is no benefit to well-being in prioritizing achievement over fun and autonomy. This research shows that there are real benefits to having a balanced life and taking time to focus on enjoying ourselves and following individual goals.”
By having a sense of routine enjoyment and routinely following individual goals outside of the workplace, it’s entirely possible that stress-produced burnout could be effectively managed. However, implementing a routine isn’t always easy for women whose schedules are already filled - after all, the stress-produced burnout is caused by not having enough time. Finding time for fun and enjoyment could literally add more stress in and of itself.
A Systematic Approach Can Help
It would be amazing if we could wave a magic wand to have more time but unfortunately that is not possible. What is possible however is having a plan of action - a system that will give you control and clarity over your burnout crisis.
When you have a system in place you will experience:
Increased resilience: Having a system can help you to tap into your inner strength so you can bounce back from difficult times more easily.
Improved emotional health: A system can help you to manage stress and anxiety, and can also help you to cope with difficult emotions such as guilt and shame.
Improved mental fitness: A system can help you to improve your perceptions and beliefs about yourself in ways that empower you.
Increased productivity: When you are feeling well-rested and emotionally balanced, you are more likely to be productive at work and at home.
Improved relationships: A system can help you to communicate more effectively with your loved ones, and can also help you to resolve conflict more peacefully.
Increased self-care: A system can help you to make time for self-care practice, which are essential for your physical and mental health.
Improved overall well-being: A system can help you make time for enjoyment and fun which are also essential for your well-being.
The bottom line: having a system helps you to move forward through the burnout. It can provide you with the structure, support, and guidance you need to get through this difficult time. It also provides you with a sense of empowerment, strength and resilience - all the ingredients of experiencing victory over your burnout. And while there are certainly benefits to talking to a therapist or counselor during times of any crisis, a consultant can work with you to provide the right system that is effective and tailored to your personal needs and goals - particularly those that help you to move forward.
Whether you’re a woman or a man, burnout can strike at any time. It’s important to be gentle with yourself and reach out for help. Know there really is no shame in experiencing burnout nor is there any in reaching out. Nobody is super human.
If you're interested in learning more about moving forward through your burnout crisis, let’s talk! I encourage you to contact me at hello@pamela-dussault-consulting.com to set up your free consultation.
