How to avoid burnout working from home

 

The pandemic has blurred the boundaries between work and home

 Meetings or shura are important in any organisation.

A Harvard Business Review article published in 2017 states that on average employees spend 23 hours a week in meetings or almost 60 per cent of their working time. A substantial increase from less than 10 hours in the 1960s.

In navigating the challenges of the pandemic, technology has made it easier for us to work from home.

However, the same technology also binds us to work longer hours. Working from home has resulted in an increase in the number of hours spent on meetings.

A survey in the United Kingdom found that executives spend about 6½ hours daily in virtual meetings. Another study conducted in 31 countries by Microsoft found that virtual working hours have increased by one hour in most countries.

It must be highlighted that virtual meetings have resulted in unwanted "cognitive overload" on the brain as a result of a surge in digital intensity.

This is a direct result of being in front of a screen (smartphones, tablets or laptops) for a long period.

This is also a result of executives sending and replying to more emails than before, as well as arranging more online meetings. Too many online meetings can be taxing for the brain.

Dr Michael Bohan of Microsoft's Human Factors Engineering Lab, said: "In real life, our brains aren't wired to look at a flat image of a person on a grid. Brains are wired in the real world, and designed to use body cues, and all this other subtle stuff in order to process and communicate."

It has also been observed that online meetings have resulted in increased generation of beta waves by the brain.

Beta waves are generated when the brain is actively hard at work and engaged in mental activities that can lead to increased anxiety and exhaustion.

The longer one stares at the screen, the longer the period of sustained generation of beta waves. After a prolonged period of processing information, focus and productivity will be affected. If this situation is not addressed carefully, it can lead to burnout.

In 2019, burnout was recognised by the World Health Organisation as an "occupational phenomenon", though it is not classified as a medical condition, included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases.

How do we overcome cognitive overload and subsequently avoid burnout? This is a challenge that needs to be addressed by both employers and employees.

There are things that can be better communicated using a memo, an email or a telephone call, instead of calling a virtual meeting.

Identifying what needs to be communicated in meetings (which requires consultation in decision-making) and what can be communicated using other means (such as assigning tasks or reporting progress) can help reduce the need for meetings.

Also, taking short breaks can generate alpha waves required to minimise digital intensity, thus reducing beta wave production.

Another is by shortening meetings into focused discussions.

However, what is more pertinent is the critical awareness that the pandemic has actually ushered in a new era, which necessitates a new working culture that requires inculcating new norms, acquiring new skills and new attitudes towards work by having trust as the core.

The reality is, we are already in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but for many, our way of thinking is ironically still trapped in the production line mindset of the First Industrial Revolution, resulting in an unbalanced life.

Islam acknowledges the importance of maintaining a balanced life.

This lesson can be found from a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad. When the Prophet heard that Abdullah bin 'Amr had been fasting every day and performing prayers all night, the Prophet visited the companion and advised him not to do so.

The Prophet said, "Sleep and stand (in prayer); fast and break your fast. For your eyes have a right over you, your body has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, your guest has a right over you, and your friend has a right over you."

One message from this Hadith is that there is time for work, worship, family and rest.

The pandemic has blurred the boundaries between work and home. Therefore, we need to ensure that we are able to fulfil the rights of our workplace without neglecting the rights of our well-being and family. 

 

Dr Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh

The writer is director, Centre for Science and Environment Studies, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia

Source:

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2021/05/692480/how-avoid-burnout-working-home