Dear Editor,

It’s a troubling sight indeed how easily we forgo our physical and mental well-being in the relentless churn of the workweek.

Day in and day out, we chase deadlines, pushing ourselves to unlock new heights of productivity while running on inadequate nutrition and too little water. Then comes the long crawl through traffic, only to find ourselves hauling desk work back home. Being sequestered in project tasks and burning the midnight oil with squinting eyes and yawns has become less an exception. Does this sound familiar?

Oftentimes, we run amok with worry and despair when our lifestyle falls short of ideal — especially for those juggling the role of spouse and parent with their unique challenges. It is a delicate balancing act that demands extraordinary mental fortitude and patience, yet even the strongest among us have limits. Without intentional and frequent check-ins, the body and mind drift into neglect, only to awaken us when it is far too late.

Episodic stress can prove to be powerful triggers that set off chronic wear and tear through the constant activation of the body’s fight or flight response, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. It is further exacerbated when the workplace involved is not conducive to a safe environment for healthy expression: tug of war with superiors, extended work hours and overtime, and contending with multiple personalities and idiosyncrasies can dampen your psychosocial health during your tenure.

Each year, April 28 marks the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, a timely reminder of the importance of safeguarding not just our bodies, but our minds. This year’s theme, ‘Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment’, was especially fitting, ensuring a healthy psychosocial working environment to better manage stress and stave off burnout.

Statistics from PubMed Central highlight some disconcerting trends: surveys conducted between 2006 and 2023 reveal that reported stress levels rose from 26.5 per cent to over 38 per cent. Today, 37 per cent of adults across 144 countries say they experience stress on a daily basis, with women more likely to report higher levels (36.1 per cent) compared to men (33.6 per cent). The workplace is hardly exempt — high pressure environments carry a 40 per cent likelihood of triggering cardiovascular disease (CVD) and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These conditions, which claim eight million lives annually, stem from disrupted gut-brain communication, manifesting in ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcers.

We, therefore, must prioritise our psychosocial health at work and ascertain ways to reduce the effects of stress on the individual. Several remediation strategies include:

1) Effective use of time blocking: Studies show that effective time management reduces perceived stress and burnout. People who use time blocking report lower levels of anxiety and greater life satisfaction compared to those who rely on unstructured to-do lists, according to the Mental Health Center.

2) Learn when to take a break: Experts recommend breaks every 25-90 minutes. Research shows that breaks improve focus, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of workplace injuries; that is, appropriate rest makes you less likely to be a “walking hazard”.

3) Prayer and reading of scripture: Reading scripture and daily prayer for at least four times for the week leads to drastic reductions in negative behaviour and emotional struggles. Key stats include a 57 per cent drop in addiction issues, 60 per cent less spiritual stagnation, and a 30 per cent decrease in loneliness, according to research by the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE)

4) Treat yourself well with dear friends and family: People with strong social support networks report lower stress perception and better overall health outcomes. Research links social support to longer life expectancy and improved mental health

Our psychosocial health, if left unchecked, becomes the invisible tax we pay with our bodies and minds. Yet the path to resilience is not beyond reach. By reclaiming time through intentional planning, honouring the body’s need for rest, nurturing the spirit through prayer and scripture, and leaning on the strength of community, we can begin to dismantle the cycle of burnout.

Dujean Edwards

Educator and researcher

dujeanedwards@gmail.com