The coronavirus pandemic has made the already challenging job of human resources considerably tougher. Since March 2020, HR professionals have had to quickly transform the old ways to carry out essential tasks. Some of them shifted to hybrid work models while some had to furlough or lay off employees. All of this pressure is negatively affecting HR professionals. A new report titled ‘2021 Pulse of HR,’ which accumulated data from 1,000 HR experts across North America, found that 98% of HR leaders said the pandemic has completely transformed their day-to-day functions, and that it has been one of the most stressful time of their careers. Another report found that 77% of HR professionals are experiencing job burnout, an increase from 59.6% since February 2020.
Job burnout, if left unaddressed, can have a significant impact on one’s physical and mental wellbeing. It poses several dangers such as increased risk of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In some cases, it can even lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, back and neck pain and other health problems.
There are a few strategies that HR professionals can adapt to better manage job burnout and reduce its effect on health and wellbeing:
Acknowledge the negative thoughts: One of the most distressing symptoms of job burnout is negative self-talk. The initial step to reducing these negative thoughts is to recognize that what you’re feeling is negative and caused by the job pressure and anxiety you’re living with. If you experience difficulty breaking negative thoughts, try discussing about your feelings with someone you trust.
Set limits: Being accessible to your coworkers can rapidly lead to job burnout and sometimes emotional exhaustion. It’s understandable that issues need to be resolved immediately. However, it’s also important to take time off for yourself. Let your coworkers know what your work hours are and disengage from work outside of your office hours.
Prioritize your health: It’s important to spend some time doing what’s important for your mental and physical wellbeing. It could be a 10-minute walk in the park or a 30-minute yoga session before bedtime. It’s also important to practice stress management at work whenever you find time. Even a 5-minute session can work wonders.