The average workday for full-time employed Americans has exceeded the standard eight hours, according to 2018′s Bureau of Labor Statistics research. And individuals holding down multiple jobs are working close to nine hours a day, typically.
Fatigue and stress combine to result in burnout. While long work hours contribute, says Inc magazine, excess repetition, insufficient compensation, little room for upward mobility and no camaraderie with peers are also factors.
The experience negatively affects not only job performance but health and relationships. Inc’s tips for thwarting burnout are:
1. Use vacation days. Around 40 percent of vacation days are wasted for a number of reasons; primarily, workers feel that they cannot “afford” time off due to the high demands of their jobs.
2. Change routine. Instead of eating in the workspace, take lunch to a park. Instead of driving to work, walk or ride a bike, if possible. Rearrange or redecorate work space periodically.
3. Communicate with employer. “Let management know how you’re feeling and ask them if they have any ideas. Make it clear you’re not giving up on the job, but you want to shake things up in a positive way.”
CEOWORLD magazine in October offered up a strategy for keeping the work load interesting and enhancing productivity. Suggested is the habit of work “sprints” — focusing on tasks for 90 to 120 minutes, then taking a break. During the break, go outside and get fresh air, do a few exercises, get a healthy snack, etc. The goal is anticipated times of rest and replenishment in between concentrated chunks of work.