[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”147246″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”2/3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”203950″][vc_custom_heading sub_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”272803″ subheading=”Relentless notifications. Round-the-clock digital overload. Zoom burnout. The never-ending mental load of keeping work, family, and life running smoothly. The expectation to be always ‘on’.”]Understanding and addressing why women shield exhaustion[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”172995″]
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”121983″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”50″ uncode_shortcode_id=”209171″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”797359″]One contributing factor is the dual burden many women carry in undertaking domestic chores alongside professional work. The Office for National Statistics reported in 2022 that women undertake a disproportionate share of unpaid household labour, averaging 60% more than men. This additional workload exacerbates fatigue and stress, making it crucial to address both professional and domestic spheres when considering women’s well-being.
Moreover, societal norms often discourage women from expressing tiredness or seeking help, leading them to “power through” exhaustion. This tendency not only affects their health but also perpetuates the cycle of unrecognised fatigue.
Breaking the cycle of burnout
Workplaces can play a pivotal role in breaking this cycle by fostering environments where open discussions about well-being are encouraged and support systems are in place.
Mentorship emerges as a valuable resource in this context. Connecting with mentors provides women with guidance, support, and a platform to share experiences. Such relationships can offer practical advice and emotional support, helping to navigate challenges and reduce feelings of isolation, particularly in situations where women might face additional workplace pressures or systemic barriers.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”122018″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”60″ uncode_shortcode_id=”334557″ media_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcly443wxl78o|target:_blank”][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”396755″]
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If you have ever wondered just how tired you really are, then NASA has developed a reaction time test used by astronauts and pilots to measure fatigue levels before taking on critical tasks.
Their Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) app (only on Apple iOS) lets you check your response speed and cognitive alertness.
And if it’s good enough for space travel, it’s good enough for the morning school run or back-to-back client calls. Maybe it’s time to run your own pre-launch check: are you firing on all cylinders, or should you be dumping some of the payload before takeoff? 🚀
Download here from the Apple app store[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead=”small” uncode_shortcode_id=”104680″]References:
- NASA study on fatigue perception
- Workplace mental health statistics 2024
- Workplace stress statistics in the UK in 2024
- Women at Work: New report finds UK women juggling the return-to-office
- Reducing burnout through mentoring
- Value of mentoring in tackling burnout
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Author
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It’s a typical day for many women, particularly if they are juggling multiple roles of professional responsibilities, family duties, and personal commitments. This constant balancing act often leads to fatigue or even exhaustion, but recent research suggests that women’s tiredness frequently goes unnoticed.
A study by NASA revealed that observers tend to underestimate women’s fatigue levels while overestimating men’s. And the researchers suggest the discrepancy may stem from societal expectations and behavioural differences, as women often maintain positive and sociable outward appearances, despite feeling exhausted.
The implications of this underestimation are significant. When fatigue goes unrecognised, women may not receive the support or rest they need, potentially leading to burnout.
The invisible weight of exhaustion
Burnout — a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress — is alarmingly prevalent among women. A 2023 study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that women in the UK are more likely than men to experience work-related stress and burnout.