How To Help Your Team Conquer Burnout and Mental Health Issues

There will always be times when your team is completely exhausted. It’s almost unavoidable, and it’ll happen now and then. In today’s economy, burnout is quite common. That is why it is critical to take note of its symptoms so that it does not affect the productivity of your team.

A leader must recognize the signs of burnout early on. It is important to note, however, that they are not always easy to identify. You may believe that an employee has missed deadlines or arrived late to work because they are simply lazy. Or perhaps the most interactive team member is simply in a “bad mood.” Then you begin to ask yourself the cause of the problem. We’ve listed the most common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of burnout below to help you identify them.

Physical symptoms of Burnout

Fatigue

Feelings of exhaustion or depletion of energy

Productivity decline

Breathing difficulty

Headaches

Changes in eating habits or loss of appetite

Sleep deprivation

Mental symptoms of burnout

Apathy or increased mental distance

Constant anxiety and worry

Inability to concentrate

Emotional symptoms of Burnout

Irritability

Negative or cynical feelings

Emotional vulnerability or hypersensitivity

An increased proclivity to start arguments or make harsh remarks

How to Assist Your Team in Conquering Burnout and Mental Health Issues

Once you’ve identified the symptoms of your team’s mental issues and burnout, the following step is to figure out how to help them overcome this troubling condition. In this article, we’ve compiled the following strategies to assist you as a leader in overcoming team fatigue and mental health issues:

1. Determine the root cause

Every action is motivated by something. Your team members cannot wake up the next day and begin acting differently for no specific reason. So, before you take any action, investigate the main reason for your team’s burnout. There are numerous potential contributors: a high workload, a lack of leadership, and a lack of clarity on responsibilities or expectations, as well as unfair treatment. Whatever the reason, it’s critical to engage directly with your team members to discover the main cause of burnout. Here are a few pointers to assist you to  determine the root cause:

Have in-person interactions: Even if your entire team is feeling burnout, have individual conversations. 1-on-1 talks are an excellent opportunity to address the well-being of your direct reports. Speaking in front of the entire group might be intimidating, making it difficult for members to open up.

Make no assumptions: Attempt to avoid doing so. Facts are not based on assumptions. As a result, most assumptions are incorrect, and you will not identify the main cause of the problem this way.

Ask questions: You won’t know unless you ask questions. This is another method for overcoming your team’s burnout and mental health difficulties.

2. Act as a spokesperson.

One of your most critical tasks as a leader is to be an advocate for your team. This includes ensuring that your direct reports are well cared for and supported. The method you advocate for your employees can differ depending on the cause of the burnout. Here are a few samples to get you started:

Keep their time safe.

Make work schedules more flexible.

3. Show compassion and empathy.

Compassion and empathy are valuable workplace assets, especially when dealing with issues such as burnout and mental health. You and your team may become frustrated as you work together to solve these difficulties. This is quite normal, so remember to approach the problem with compassion and empathy. This will make it easier for you to get through the difficult times together. Here are some examples of ways to show compassion and empathy:

Consider what is best for the team.

Don’t take it personally.

4. Take care of your health.

Leaders must look after their own mental and physical health to help their teams deal with burnout and mental health difficulties. You are setting a positive example for your team by prioritizing their health at work in this manner. You can prioritize your well-being in several ways:

Make yourself available.

Respect Boundaries

Take some time off.

Dealing with team burnout and mental health issues is never easy. However, as a leader, you must get familiar with the symptoms of team burnout and mental health difficulties to implement some of the above-mentioned suggestions. You will be able to lessen the harmful effects of team fatigue and mental health difficulties.