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  • Writer's pictureIvanta Brooks

Women are more resilient to work stress and burnout

The work-life balance is something many of us struggle with, but women are at an even greater disadvantage. The constant pressure to prove themselves as competent and committed employees leads them to take on more responsibilities than their male colleagues, which ultimately results in burnout.


The sense of being overwhelmed by the amount of work they have can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety that often go untreated because the woman believes she's supposed to be able to handle it all. Not only does this put her health at risk, but it also makes her less likely to make time for self-care like exercise or relaxation activities - both things which help fight burnout before it starts.


Women are doing more than ever before to keep themselves and each other safe, but it might be hurting them in the long run. According to a study on burnout among women, “The number of women who reported experiencing some sort of burnout increased by 60 percent between 2019 and 2021.” In addition to feeling burned out, many feel they have no choice but to continue working harder and longer hours because their jobs depend on it. This fear is leading many professionals into a state of anxiety which can lead to more serious mental health issues such as depression or even suicidal thoughts. We must work together as a society so that everyone has the support they need while also being able to live up to the demands that are placed on them.


How does Burnout affect Women more?

Burnout is a serious issue that affects at least half of all workers in the US. It’s an especially problematic problem for women, who are more likely to feel burned out at work due to many factors including gender discrimination and being expected to do more than their male counterparts. Despite these challenges, women have been making strides in trying to find ways to fight burnout and it seems like they may be on the right track.


The battle against burnout has become increasingly challenging as technology continues its reign over nearly every aspect of our lives; we're constantly connected through social media, email alerts, cell phones, and other devices which can make it difficult—or even impossible—to "disconnect" from work after-hours or on weekends. There is a common belief that burnout has mostly affected men in the workplace, but women are catching up fast. They may be doing more to fight it than their male counterparts and this could be harming them. Despite this, research shows that women are less likely to take action against it. While there's no simple fix for burnout at work, there are steps both genders can take to protect their health and wellbeing while still getting the job done effectively.


Despite their increasing levels of burnout, women appear to be far more inclined than males to take action against it, such as by controlling team workloads, supporting diversity equity and inclusion efforts, and simply checking in on how employees are doing.


Here are three things businesses can do to help their female employees combat burnout.


1) Offer flexible schedules

For women, who are more likely to experience burnout because of their caregiving responsibilities at home, there's much research suggesting flexible schedules can help. Flexible work schedules allow employees to choose when they want their days off or plan time for special events like doctor's appointments, parent-teacher conferences, and more. This lets them prioritize what matters most while also giving them the chance to decompress before jumping back into work on Monday morning. It also helps employers by making sure all their staff members have enough time between shifts so they don't suffer from fatigue or exhaustion due to lack of sleep.


2) Provide opportunities for growth and learning

When it comes to employee burnout, many factors contribute to the problem. Employees who do not have opportunities for training or growth may be more likely to experience burnout because they feel stagnant in their current position and lack a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment at work. Employees who are constantly learning new things and advancing their skills are less likely to become exhausted from their work tasks because they will always be gaining something positive from their job.


In addition, employers who offer on-the-job training for new employees may also benefit from a decrease in employee turnover rates.


3) Promote balance between personal life/work

The challenges that many employees face in their day-to-day lives can lead to feelings of burnout, and companies are beginning to recognize this. According to a survey conducted by Digital Strategy Institute, 36 percent of workers have experienced some type of work-related stress or anxiety within the past year. With such a high percentage experiencing these issues, businesses and managers alike need to take action to promote a balance between personal life/work and combat burnout among employees.


Conclusion

Women in the workforce today face a unique set of challenges and pressures. One such challenge is managing an excessive workload which can lead to burnout. With this article, we hope that you learned that women are more likely than men to take on tasks at work when they’re already overloaded—and it may be why they experience higher rates of workplace stress and burnout. The key takeaway? Make sure your female employees have adequate time for self-care so they feel energized enough to return to their normal duties with high levels of productivity!


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