In today’s society, everyone is constantly on the move to reach the maximum level of efficiency. Which is unfortunately required in our highly demanding environment. This is the result of a few major changing factors like evolving technology, globalized markets, changing society and pace of life.
Companies are forced to keep up with these constant changes to survive in a highly competitive market. The constant chase of speed and efficiency results in work intensification. Work Intensification is the process of increasing the workload or rate at which the work is done. Persistent pressure on the workers to perform at top speed can affect their psychological and physiological health.
Why is Work intensification a serious growing problem?
It is becoming a serious growing problem because it is affecting both the older and younger generation. The older generation can deal better with the high workload due to their years of work experience. But they are more prone to cognitive (learning/understanding) and physical impairments. While the younger generation can suffer from emotional labor (social stressor caused by facing emotional load at work). But both groups suffer from a lack of work-life balance, which is the loss of being able to manage time between family/friends and work.
How flexible work times contributes to Work Intensification
Flexible timings are usually implemented by companies to fight the issue of long working hours in a fixed location. Working at home might be convenient especially for new mothers but employees might end up spending more time working than doing non-work activities at home.
This is a problem because it can cause employees to be exhausted and burn out and eventually, they will start disliking their job and quit. To help both employers and employees, here are few ways to de-stress from work.
1. Establish boundaries
We are living in a digital world which can equally be a good and a bad thing for employees. Even though technology helps make our daily tasks easier it does not allow the employees to detach from work. Smartphones and laptops give a feeling that employees are available 24/7. By having access to check and respond to emails and texting employers constantly. So employees need to establish a barrier for work and home. By not answering work based emails or answering work calls at the dinner table. And by simply leaving work at work.
2. Find a way to relax
Different people unwind in different ways, so it is important to find the right way that suits you. Meditation and deep breathing exercises quick ways to get rid of stress. Doing quick 5 minutes breathing exercises can help de-stress and realign your focus. Another way is to take a few minutes from work to focus on simple tasks like walking, having a meal and even breathing helps to focus on one thing at a time.
3. Understand clearly what is required from you
It will be a huge stress reviler if employees understand what is required from them clearly. When the requirements keep constantly changing with little notice it causes an employee to burn out. Having a talk with the manager to list out what is required to be done can solve this issue.
4. Stay Organized
Once you know what is expected from you it is important to strategize on how and when to complete the given tasks. Staying organized is an essential process in staying stress-free. Organize your time, even by simply waking up on time can save a huge hassle. Also writing down all the tasks that need to be done in a day in a note pad or a calendar can help keep track of all the important tasks and reduce stress.
4. Do not Multitask
Multitasking might seem like an easy solution when you are overwhelmed with a lot of different tasks to do. But it can cause more stress because doing multiple things at once can derail accuracy. And it disrupts an employee from actually performing well at one task and leaves them feeling overwhelmed. Thus, doing things one thing at a time can help maintain sanity.
5. Get the right amount of sleep
Having a poor sleeping schedule is a huge contributor to stress. It is important for an adult to receive at least 8 hours of sleep to function properly because sleep tends to affect mood and outlook. Some times stress itself tends to prevent getting a proper night of sleep. Hence, try other alternatives to relieve stress and to induce sleep
- Sticking to a strict sleeping schedule can help your body shut down at the same time
- Turn off all screens an hour before hitting the bed, because numerous research studies state that blue light emitted from TV, computers, and smartphones make it difficult for us to fall asleep.
- Take a hot bath, temperature drop transferring from a hot bath to a cold bedroom will help you feel sleepy.
Following all or finding a specific method that best suits you can help control the impacts of work intensification.
