The busy life syndrome responds to a series of sensations caused by a very demanding life, worried and accelerated. In it, people are filled with responsibilities, functions and work because they want to or do not know how to resign.
This usually acts as a defense mechanism to face personal circumstances and appears because people do not feel comfortable with themselves and do not want to introspect about their own circumstances.
This term was coined by a group of researchers from a study center in Glasgow (CPS Research) and is usually identified with an increase in absent-mindedness, forgetfulness and poor concentration.
Rafael San Román, psychologist and PR Manager at the ifeel platform, explains to EFEsalud that “the busy life syndrome is not considered a disease or a diagnostic label, but a expression to refer to a growing problem”.
Although initially it cannot be prevented, a first step is to realize that this busy life begins to be more exhausting than satisfying. Self-demand and the fast pace in many professions are usually determining factors.
At this point, it is common for resignations to appear because we need to eliminate responsibilities. However, it is not always easy to decide what to decline.
Many people are not trained in the ability to say no or not compensate themso it is a “poisoned candy”, as the expert clarifies.
In addition, San Román recalls that “there will appear empty of activity and thoughts of remorse that we must learn to manage” .
Put limits
Some guidelines that we can follow to control it are to assess whether our work compensates us, to focus on our emotional and physical well-being, set limits and learn to give up.
Also, from the platform they say that many workers receive continuous messages that you have to give everything and that you have to squeeze a few years of professional life for get your reward.
Although they usually say that it is something temporary, it tends to last for several years, making it difficult to work-life balance. San Román affirms that “there are a series of beliefs associated with how to approach work or how to build a professional career that clearly boycott well-being”.
What about telecommuting?
Telecommuting is another battlefield. According to the psychologist, flexibility and comfort can mess up and blur the schedule and our work methodologies.
“In theory, an average worker should follow his schedule that he had in the old normality and should not be extended by being at home. If I didn’t come down from the office in the middle of the morning to make the purchase, there is no reason to do so when I work remotely”, states the expert.
Although telecommuting has enormous advantagesSan Román recalls that “it is a scenario less likely to be controlled by others and ourselves”.
“While I’m working, I think I can take care of the kids or cook dinner, and everything seems to add up. However, this only ends by saturate us”.
In these terms, the shared responsibility between the worker and the company they become keys to achieving balance. At ifeel, they believe that being aware that work is work is a basic point to achieve well-being. Likewise, the company must respect the schedules.
Busy life syndrome and “burnout”, similar terms
The “burnout” or “burnt worker syndrome” consists of the chronification of stress. At first, similarities could be established between the two, but they are not exactly the same.
Although burnout is mistakenly associated with a hyper-busy person with many responsibilities, this does not always happen. First, attention should be paid to the level of satisfaction and motivation that your work brings. Many employees “are burned out” because they don’t have tasks (“boredout”) or because they don’t know how to perform their job properly.
On the contrary, the busy life syndrome necessarily implies having been filled with activities voluntarily or involuntarily, and the burden of suffering burnout is usually added.
Emotional well-being, a pillar of corporate culture
The psychologist clarifies that “as a company we must transmit the idea that the emotional well-being of people is an important work tool and the personal conditions of each person are fundamental”.
This mutual flexibility ranges from the involvement of workers, respect for their schedules, maintaining adequate internal communication to limiting the number of video calls. The supervision and control of the worker who is teleworking must be especially careful.
“The separation between personal and professional it is basic too, but it is a fictitious separation. In the end, I don’t stop being me just because I’m working. Care, well-being, responsibility and enjoyment have to be present in all facets of your life”, warns San Román.
The expert clarifies that “this must be a philosophy and must be adapted to the mission and objectives of the company, as well as to the position. If, on the contrary, we promote hyperactivity, we will have short-term results, but very saturated people”.
This trend is corroborated by the Cigna 360 Well-being Survey of 2021, where they conclude that the pandemic It has caused a high level of stress for employees as they must juggle their responsibilities when telecommuting.
From ifeel conclude that “work cannot be an excuse to neglect psychological well-being and therefore, employees must be given the tools to take care of their mental health.” This is the true paradigm shift within the business world.
