Psychologist Kelly McGonical highlights in one of the most viewed TED Talks all times that it's not so much stress that gets us down, but our own perception of stress. If we worry about our stress, it works out badly for us: people who worry about their stress live unhealthier and shorter lives. If, on the other hand, you see stress as a human quality that helps you, then you experience virtually no negative effects from it.
Now that corona in the Netherlands seems somewhat stabilized (except for local outbreaks), the lockdown largely lifted and the hospitality industry partially up and running again, we can start looking ahead again. Entrepreneurs expect that in a year's time we will be back to business as usual. Fortunately, the "new normal" also brings improvements. For example, many are getting more freedom (and less travel time) thanks to the working from home and we have become more aware of the importance of our health.
Yet newspapers headline particularly about the increased workload. But is that justified? That we are massively overtired is a fact. In my immediate environment, I hear many people complain that the strain has worn off. Japke D. Bouma tellingly describes how our brain is currently ravaged by the adrenaline of recent months (which was directly substantiated by her readers). Also the Parool substantiates this from various experts. The past few months have even made an impact on our sleep and dreams, according to Time Magazine.
After months of getting used to working from home, caring for children and with fewer opportunities to relax, we are tired. And that's a positive thing. In fact, fatigue is a clearly recognizable symptom. A lot more concrete, too, than the social overstrain that we actually had a hard time dealing with before corona. Pre-corona, the rising pressure of work and work-related stress and, in particular, the consequences of this were the great challenge for working people in the Netherlands.
The fact that various media outlets have just that increasing workload emphasize now, however, is debatable. The (in the media) leading research from employee organization CNV seems very negative at first glance. For example, 11 percent of those surveyed are now said to be nearing burnout and 34 percent say the workload is higher than ever. However, this is a snapshot in time. If you put it away against the survey 6 months ago, you see something completely different.
If you take the answers from the survey of December 13, 2019 compares with those from the post-corona survey of July 7, 2020 you even see a positive development. At least in terms of workload and risk of burnout.
When asked if the workload is higher after corona, 62 percent said they disagreed. For them, the workload has remained the same or decreased. While before corona 16 percent said they were close to burnout, post-corona this is only 11 percent. Also, after corona, fewer interviewees (10 percent less) plan to switch, specifically because the work pressure within their sector is said to have become higher.
Of course, these results differ on an individual level, but this does offer a more positive picture than is portrayed in the media. With these insights and Kelly McGonical's in mind, we can also look at current fatigue in a different way; just very practically.
Coincidentally, we are right before summer vacation. So take that opportunity now. Allow yourself time to process the past few months. Start thinking about how you are going to further wants. Also, just for entrepreneurs, or others who cannot afford a vacation right now, only 1 emphatic piece of advice applies; take time to recharge your battery. Make sure you are in your bed on time, pay a little more attention to your health in the near future and allow yourself positive distractions with friends.
Then, after the summer, we can get back to building a healthy Netherlands, personally and professionally, rested and with renewed energy.
Happy vacations!
