Dauerstress im Job: Überlastet im Job: Sport und Achtsamkeit sind keine Lösung

Workplace stress, also known as overwork, can have severe health consequences for many employees. To determine if one's situation is problematic, they must ask themselves if they can regularly recover, complete tasks, and experience things that matter to them. If not, it is crucial to take action.

Warning signs of extreme professional stress include physical symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, stomach issues, and frequent infections, as well as mental signs such as irritability, inner unrest, or emotional emptiness. In the workplace, overwork often manifests as concentration difficulties, frequent mistakes, decreased motivation, conflicts, or withdrawal.

Employers should also be aware of signs like being unable to take breaks, being mentally present at work all the time, or experiencing stress in their private life.

Many people try to cope with their stress by practicing more mindfulness, meditation, or exercise. While these measures can be beneficial, they cannot replace changes. Gustav Wirtz, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, emphasizes that stress is rarely just an individual issue of attitude or resilience. Instead, it is usually caused by workplace conditions. Therefore, employees must learn to set professional boundaries before becoming ill.

When the burden becomes too much, the psychiatrist recommends several strategies. First, identify the root cause of the stress by asking what is most burdensome: workload, conflicts, excessive responsibility, or lack of recovery? Determine whether the issues are urgent tasks or ones that can be postponed, reduced, or delegated. Second, seek short-term relief by clarifying with your boss what is most important and what can wait.

Options may include delegating tasks, limiting overtime, taking scheduled breaks, and setting clear boundaries on availability. In the case of acute exhaustion, taking vacation or engaging in recreational activities might help. If medical intervention is needed, requesting a sick leave can be beneficial.

Third, seek a conversation. If the stress is work-related, it is worth having an early, confidential discussion with your manager, employee council, or occupational health service. It is helpful to not only identify the problem but also specify the concrete support needed. For instance, if you have too many tasks to handle simultaneously, you can point out that the workload should be better distributed.

Fourth, prioritize recovery. "Regeneration is not a reward for finished work but a prerequisite for health and performance," stresses Wirtz. Ensure you get enough sleep, have regular meals, take breaks, and maintain social contacts that bring joy or relaxation. If complaints persist for several weeks, intensify, or significantly impair daily life, professional help should be sought.

The first point of contact can be the family doctor's office or a psychotherapy practice. Remember, seeking support is not a sign of personal failure, as assured by Wirtz.