Earlier surveys by Falck Previa show that about one employee in three experiences high stress levels or high-risk stress. Stress without recovery is not good for health. You should therefore create procedures that let you prioritise recovery to ensure that stress does not take over.
Working life today is marked by a high tempo and ever-increasing demands for efficiency, availability and results measured against high targets. When we work in stressful conditions, it is easy to think that we can postpone recovery to the weekend or our next holiday, but a lack of recovery is a decisive factor in fatigue.
“One big problem is what is known as the recovery paradox. We don’t manage to protect our recovery during intensive periods when we need it most,” says Mattias Engström, organisation consultant at Falck Previa.
Many managers in the high stress risk zone
Stress affects everyone in different ways, but many find it more difficult to relax and that they feel more irritable. The number of managers with subordinate staff and employees without managerial responsibilities who experience high stress levels is about the same, while somewhat more managers with subordinate staff are in the risk zone.
“Behind serious fatigue there are often long-term factors that disrupt recovery. A conflict at work or a constant feeling of inadequacy, worry about changes or a feeling of exclusion can disturb even the best situation for recovery. Solutions must be found for these, for both managers and employees,” says Mattias Engström.
Setting aside time for thought and reflection is important not only for our well-being but also for our leadership and employee relations.
Dare to ask for help
Kristina Spegel is an organisational psychologist at Falck Previa and stresses the importance of talking to each other and formulating what the challenges are for ourselves and others. Setting aside time for thought and reflection is important not only for our well-being but also for our leadership and employee relations. Her advice is to dare to ask for help - and also to dare to accept help.
“You might be surprised how many people there are around you who would like to do things to help you and who wish you well. Get used to being someone who accepts help a couple of times a day. The one who receives. This rest incorporates gratitude and joy and that reduces stress,” says Kristina Spegel.
Tips for everyday recovery
End the working day properly. Cross off what you have got done and make a “to do” list for the next day, which you leave at work. This reduces the risk of anything disturbing your recovery at home.
Keep work and leisure separate. Think especially about how you manage email, your telephone and computers, so that they do not disturb your recovery.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is the most important form of recovery
Try to include different types of recovery. Active recovery is creative but undemanding and tops up our energy, while passive recovery allows us to rest.
Find out what works for you. Evaluate not only what seems easiest at the time, but also what gives the best results after a week, for example.
