I felt that familiar tightness in my chest yesterday while staring at my overflowing inbox. The deadlines, the pressure—we’ve all been there. That moment when work feels like it’s consuming everything.
Last week, I spoke with Wendy Brathwaite, EY’s Global Wellbeing Officer, about navigating today’s increasingly demanding workplace. “The boundaries between work and life have blurred dramatically since 2020,” she told me. “Many employees feel perpetually ‘on call’.”
She’s right. A recent McKinsey study found that 42% of employees report feeling burned out, up from 32% just two years ago. These numbers hit home for me and probably for you too.
Brathwaite shared three practical strategies that have stuck with me. First, create clear work boundaries. This means setting actual office hours and sticking to them. I’ve started putting my phone in a drawer after 7 PM, and honestly? It’s been revolutionary for my evening peace.
“Small rituals that signal the end of work are powerful,” Brathwaite explained. “Even something as simple as closing your laptop with intention can help your brain transition.”
The second strategy focuses on purposeful breaks throughout the day. Not just scrolling social media, but actual mental resets. I’ve been trying the 52/17 method—52 minutes of focused work followed by a 17-minute break—and my afternoon productivity has noticeably improved.
Research from the University of Illinois supports this approach. Brief diversions dramatically improve our ability to focus on a single task for extended periods. Science backs what our tired brains have been telling us all along.
Her third tip resonated most deeply: cultivate a support network both inside and outside work. “We weren’t meant to handle stress in isolation,” Brathwaite emphasized. “Connection is a biological necessity, not a luxury.”
I’ve found unexpected comfort in my monthly lunch with fellow writers from across LA. We share frustrations, swap self-care tips, and remind each other we’re not alone in this hustle. These conversations have become essential to my wellbeing in ways I never anticipated.
The workplace isn’t getting less stressful anytime soon. A 2023 Gallup poll shows workplace stress at its highest level since they began tracking in 2007. But Brathwaite believes small, consistent actions can build remarkable resilience over time.
Yesterday, when that familiar anxiety crept in, I stepped away from my desk. I walked around my neighborhood, feeling the California sunshine and breathing deeply. Twenty minutes later, I returned calmer and more focused.
Maybe true resilience isn’t about never feeling stressed. Perhaps it’s about having tools ready when the pressure mounts. What small boundary might you set today to protect your wellbeing in this always-on world?
Read more wellness insights at Epochedge Lifestyle or stay updated with the latest trends at Epochedge News.
