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For many, this time of year is back-to-work season. Whether you’ve taken time off during the kids’ six-week holidays or returned to work after the New Year, it can sometimes be challenging to get back into the flow of work and feel productive. After any break, heading back to work can be exciting, anxiety-provoking, and daunting—all at the same time.

But research overwhelmingly shows that a break can actually help you feel more productive when you return to work. Nonetheless, it can take some adjusting, but energising your productivity batteries isn’t as hard as you may think. So, keep reading to see the formula for getting back to your best after a well-earned rest.

Why Aussie workers need a break

2024 was a long year. Despite many of us achieving goals, for some in the contemporary workplace, striving to conquer those goals resulted in a higher probability of experiencing burnout. Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA) reports that 61% of Aussie workers experience burnout. Comparatively, the global rate of burnout is averaged at 48%. Therefore, Australian workers needed a break.

There are also the physical aspects of being overworked. Some workers may experience fatigue, leading to more workplace accidents. Equally, taking fewer breaks and overstraining yourself can potentially lead to prolonged stress, which can play a role in the development of mental illnesses. But being a mental health company, we’re going to explore why Australian workers are increasingly expressing feelings of burnout.

Why the Aussie workplace is experiencing higher rates of burnout

According to Bayside Psychotherapy,  Aussie workers can feel stressed due to:

  • Excessive workload, real or perceived
  • A lack of work-life balance
  • Limited supports
  • Workplace and interpersonal conflicts

The power of a break

Time away from work can help us recover and recuperate. Unplugging from work emails and phone calls and taking some time away from the worksite or laptop can improve our physical and mental health. As such, let’s explore why taking a break can improve your wellbeing…

Firstly, your batteries will be charged, and you may feel more relaxed. Secondly, you may feel more creative and have a stronger focus. Finally, a break can make you feel more productive when you return to work (we’ll talk a little more about this shortly). Equally, you may feel more efficient – ready to take your next task head-on.

Do you find it difficult to be more productive after taking leave?

When you’ve been on holiday, you may still yearn for those white sandy beaches or galivanting across a famous city. Even if you stayed home, a rest can have felt long overdue – but you may feel like it didn’t last long enough. So, here are some ways to be more productive when you return to work…

  • Prioritise your tasks and write a to-do list
  • Set a timer and place all your focus on that task for the duration
  • Establish and stick to a routine
  • Get enough sleep so that you feel more awake and focused during the workday
  • Take short breaks in between finishing a task and starting another

Some may think that resting can hurt your productivity. On the contrary, you may feel less stressed and more mentally resilient. As such, don’t let the fear of returning with low productivity levels prevent you from taking a well-earned break. If you stick to the above points, you should quickly adapt and find your productivity in no time!

Support is at your fingertips

If Converge is your workplace wellbeing program provider, we’re here to support you. If you’re experiencing burnout, feeling stressed, or worried about being productive when you return to work, you can access expert Care Anytime, Anywhere! Simply talk to your HR department to see if we’re your workplace wellbeing provider. If we are, book an appointment with one of our 2,000 consultants via our website or the Converge App.

Care Anytime Anywhere

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