Exhaustion and overwork, what to do?
Write the 10/11/2022 by Santarome Bio
Overwork affects a considerable number of our contemporaries: more than four out of ten French people are affected, whatever their family and professional situation.
France ranks third in terms of work-related depression.
According to occupational medicine, the number of illnesses linked to overwork or poor working conditions has increased by 50% in ten years.
To counter the negative effects of this worrying situation, it is essential to take care of yourself and listen to yourself.
A few simple actions can be put in place to improve the situation of people experiencing overwork.
What causes overwork? 😤
Overwork is linked in a large majority of cases to an overload of work, but it can also be linked to a state of permanent exhaustion, which can come from difficult times that we are going through.
This may be what we call acute overwork, that is to say a short and intense period of exhaustion, generally linked to external factors (a very short deadline in the professional context, which occurs at the same time as a personal event such as a move for example…).
We can also talk about occasional overwork (for example in professions with a high temporality, periods of intense activity are recurring).
Finally, chronic overwork, which is defined as significant overwork over a long period, is the most complicated to manage. This is the case, for example, when working in a very stressful and tiring work environment.
Intense and long-term overwork sometimes results in cases of burn-out, or even situations of severe depression. It is therefore essential to treat it and take this situation seriously.
How do I know if I'm overworked? 😶
The symptoms of overwork are not always easy to spot: many people who are victims of overwork believe that the situation is “normal”, and habit has led them to trivialize and minimize their exhaustion. From their point of view, this is not a worrying situation but simply a state of fatigue which will resolve over time.
However, clear symptoms can represent a warning signal:
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Permanent fatigue;
- Mood disorders ;
- Sleep disorders: difficulty falling asleep at night and intense fatigue during the day. Sleep is no longer restorative.
- Appetite disorders (cravings or on the contrary undernutrition) generating changes in weight.
Paradoxically, overwork, which mainly affects perfectionist and conscientious employees, leads to professional problems: people who are victims of overwork have more difficulty taking initiatives, have difficulty concentrating, encounter relational problems with their teams due to of their nervousness...
These can also be physical symptoms:
- Back pain;
- Itching and eczema;
- Migraines;
- Muscle aches.
In addition, in cases of severe fatigue, our body is more fragile: people suffering from overwork are therefore more likely to catch a dangerous illness.
If you think you are a victim of overwork, do not let the situation get worse but react quickly and consult a health professional.
How to combat overwork? 🏃
If you are a victim of overwork, and physical effects are felt, it is essential to take control of the situation before the effects are even more significant. If the overwork is not too severe, it is sometimes possible to restore the situation by reestablishing a good life balance.
- Make sure you respect a suitable sleep schedule: for an adult, the ideal sleep duration is 7 to 9 hours per night.
- Exercise regularly: flexibility sports such as yoga or pilates are generally very effective in regaining energy.
- Take care of your diet: dark chocolate is excellent for stress and for regaining energy; citrus fruits and green vegetables are also allies of your energy.
- In the event of intense long-term overwork, rest is sometimes essential to regain energy. Consult your doctor and explain the situation to him so that he can support you effectively. If he deems it necessary, he will prescribe sick leave which will allow you to rest and recharge your batteries.
What natural cures to combat overwork? 🌱
The Stress Control Bio food supplement from Santarome bio is an excellent ally in cases of overwork. In the form of ampoules or capsules, it gently eliminates the effects of stress, thanks to the combination of four plants and three buds:
- Lemon balm promotes relaxation and helps you fall asleep;
- The organic bitter orange tree has relaxing properties, and is often used against stress;
- Hawthorn helps reduce nervousness in adults;
- Saffron helps maintain a state of mental well-being and can be useful during overwork.
