Are you exhausted and having trouble sleeping? Do you dread work because you feel like you’re drowning in stress? Do have severe feelings of depression or anxiety?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, we might know why.

One word – burnout. Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

According to research by the American Institute of Stress, 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, and 25% of those say their job is #1 on the list of stressors in their life. Stress isn’t just an employee problem but affects employers as well. Absenteeism caused by depression costs businesses $77 billion annually.

Stress and burnout are a problem for everyone. Keep reading to find out how you can take charge of workplace stress.

What steps can employers take?

Managers should strive to be more realistic and understanding. Extreme workloads and unreasonable deadlines don’t make for favorable work conditions. Expecting to get good results when constantly placing employees in stressful situations is not only unfair but unrealistic. Your employees are human beings too and should be treated as such, so be reasonable with them.

On the other hand, managers who are too hands-off can do just as much harm. Though you shouldn’t micromanage, employees should still have a clear sense of direction and an open avenue of communication with you. Employees that aren’t engaged or are actively disengaged are liable to be burnt out too.

Perhaps most important, companies should provide employees with the resources necessary to properly care for their well-being. If you don’t take care of your employees, they won’t take care of you. Not only is it necessary to provide these resources, but you should also encourage the use of them!

Company-provided/funded options like therapy, counseling, wellness programs, and gyms/fitness-related activities should be a standard part of your employee benefits package. As more job seekers come to understand how important these are, employers that don’t offer any of these options won’t remain competitive.

Give your employees what they need to be well, or they won’t be the only ones to suffer.

If your stress is directly related to your current work situation, try talking it out first. Communication is key! Sometimes, managers don’t realize the position you’re in and will be more than willing to work with you if they’re aware of the problem. If that doesn’t work, consider the scope of the situation and whether it’s something worth going up the ladder about or finding a new place of employment. Jobs are replaceable, but your health is not.

So, if you’re in need of some simple stress relievers, here are five things to consider doing when you need to level out.

1. Engage in physical activity, even if it’s a short, brisk walk.
2. Listen to a song or two; music is a great way to decrease stress hormones.
3. Write – writing is the perfect way to free your mind from stressful thoughts.
4. Breathe – mindful breathing techniques are a great way to ground yourself.
5. Talk about the situation with a trusted friend, family member, or professional.

Eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are great practices you can observe to help manage stress too.

More than anything, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Stress can take a huge toll on the body, but you don’t have to fight alone. Take full advantage of treatment options like therapy, counseling, or any wellness incentives your employer may offer. These are all great ways to not only relieve stress but take care of your health and well-being in general.

Burnout is the end of the tunnel for many people, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Educating employees on stress and equipping them with all the resources necessary to combat it is essential. It can help to prevent burnout and establish productive workplaces where everyone thrives, in every way.

We’ll be back next week with another great read. See you soon!