Page 40 - Kyalami Issue 3 2025

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
WORKPLACE
particular, entered adulthood during a time of
global uncertainty and are juggling financial
strain, disrupted education or career starts,
and social isolation due to the difficulty form-
ing social connections in today’s hyper-digital
world. All these situations add to the mental
load.

According to a recent report by the American
Psychological Association, younger adults are
significantly more likely than older gener-
ations to feel overwhelmed, isolated and
unable to function effectively due to stress.
Financial concerns are a major contributor,
with nearly 70% of 18 – 44 year-olds saying
they feel consumed by money worries.

WHAT CAN BE DONE
Technology has blurred the boundaries
between work and personal life. The constant
connectivity facilitated by smartphones and
laptops means many employees find it chal-
lenging to disconnect, leading to prolonged
exposure to work-related stressors. This
“always-on” culture contributes significantly
to burnout.
BURNOUT ON Addressing burnout requires a multi-faceted
approach:
• Set boundaries: Establish clear work-life
THE RISE boundaries. Avoid checking work emails
or messages outside of designated work
hours.
Why stress is hitting South Africans harder • Digital detox: Allocate specific times
during the day to unplug from digital devic-
es. Engage in activities that don't involve
and younger than ever • Seek support: Open up to friends, family
screens, such as reading or outdoor walks.
or professionals about feelings of stress or
he South African Depression and Anx- ments and a higher risk of depression. burnout. Sharing experiences can provide
iety Group (SADAG) estimates that as
relief and guidance.
Tmany as one in three employees in the Burnout doesn't happen overnight – it's the • Healthy lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet,
country is affected by burnout, a condition result of stress that builds up over time, often regular exercise routine and adequate
linked to ongoing, unmanaged stress. ignored until it becomes unmanageable. It’s
often disguised as productivity– people push sleep. These foundational health practices
Burnout is more than just feeling overworked harder, skip breaks, sacrifice sleep – all in can bolster resilience against stress.
– it's a state of emotional, physical and the name of performance – until their health • Mindfulness and relaxation: Incorporate
mental exhaustion brought on by prolonged eventually begins to unravel. mindfulness practices, such as meditation
stress. It can stem from workplace pressure or deep breathing exercises, to manage
or personal stress such as a major illness or WHO’S MOST AT RISK stress levels effectively.
family problems. Left unchecked, burnout While burnout can affect workers across the
can lead to a host of health issues, including board, those in high stress environments such Employers also play a crucial role in mitigat-
disrupted sleep patterns, cognitive impair- as health care and emergency services are ing burnout. By fostering a supportive work
particularly vulnerable. These professions de- environment, promoting regular breaks and
mand long hours, carry heavy emotional loads recognising employee achievements, organ-
and often allow little time for recovery. isations can help reduce the risk of burnout
among their staff.
Earlier this year (2025), a global survey
involving over 30 000 employees, and THE BUSINESS CASE
conducted by the McKinsey Health In- The McKinsey research also showed that
stitute in collaboration with the World organisations investing in employee health
Economic Forum, revealed that often experience increased productivity,
women, members of the LGBTQI+ reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs
community, younger people, and improved employee engagement and
neuro-divergent people and retention. Such efforts demonstrate that
those facing financial challeng- fostering a healthier workforce can lead to
es, reported significantly worse substantial economic returns too.
health outcomes at work.
Burnout may be invisible at first, but its
In South Africa, these risks are impact is deeply felt in our homes, relation-
magnified by tough econom- ships and workplaces. We need to shift the
ic conditions, including high narrative from glorifying overwork to valuing
unemployment, load shedding mental resilience. We all need to press the
and poor service delivery, which pause button and work towards a healthier
are creating an environment where work/life balance.
stress can tip into burnout.
Issued by Meropa Communications on behalf
Many people in their 20s and 30s, in of Pharma Dynamics.

38 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 3 • 2025