7 Jan 2025
7-Psychological strain in the workplace 职场精神内耗
Script:
Hi everyone, welcome back to Work Smart channel. I hope you’re doing great.
Today’s topic is something that many of us can probably relate to psychological strain in the workplace—or as some might call it, mental fatigue or inner burnout.
Do you remember the viral video 二舅治好了我的精神内耗 (“My Uncle Healed MyMental Burnout”)? The term “精神内耗”comes from China, and honestly, there isn’t a perfect English translation for it. But I found a phrase in academic—psychological strain—that can help us understand this concept, especially in the context of work.
In this episode, we’ll dive into three key areas:
1. What is psychological strain in the workplace?
2. What causes it?
3. How can we prevent it?
1.What is psychological strain in the workplace?
Let’s start with what psychological strain actually means.It’s basically how employees feel when they face stressors in their work environment (Van Dyne et al., 2002). Think of it as a mix of mental and physical symptoms like anxiety, dissatisfaction, burnout (including emotional exhaustion), and even depression. It can also include feelings of fatigue, cynicism, and just a general sense of being overwhelmed or stuck.
In simpler terms, if you’re feeling anxious, constantly tired, or struggling to get work done efficiently, you might be experiencing psychological strain. And trust me, you’re not alone in this—it’s something a lot of people deal with.
2.What Causes Psychological Strain?
Now, let’s talk about why this happens. There are severalfactors behind psychological strain, and they can be grouped into three levels: individual, interpersonal, and organizational.
From individual level, one major factor is workload. When you’re juggling too many tasks and working against tight deadlines, it’s easyto feel overwhelmed. Studies have shown that heavy workloads can negatively impact your mental well-being (Altintas & Turanligil, 2018).
Regarding the interpersonal level, relationships at work also matter. For example, workplace bullying—like constant criticism from peers or leaders about your communication skills—can take a toll on your mental health. It might leave you feeling anxious, frustrated, and even struggling to sleep at night.
From organizational perspective, the overall work environment plays a huge role. If your workplace treats overworking as a badge of honor or pushes employees to their limits without proper support, it’s a recipe for burnout.
3. How Can We PreventIt?
Now, onto the big question: What can we do about it? While it’s true that individuals can’t always change their work environment, there are still some steps you can take to protect your mental health:
1. Take care of yourself.
Remember to take micro-breaks during the day—it’s something we talked about back in Episode 6.Even a few minutes to step away and reset can make a difference.
2. Speak up and seek support.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to talk to your manager about what you’re going through. Letting them know you need help can prevent things from escalating to emotional or physical exhaustion.
3. Find a better work environment if possible.
If your current workplace is toxic and nothing changes, it might be worth looking for a company that values efficiency over long hours and supports its employees. A good leader who understands this can make a world of difference.
That’s it for today’s episode! I hope you’ve learned something useful about psychological strain and how to manage it. As we head into the new year, let’s aim for less 内耗 and more self-love. Take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you in the next episode!
Happy NewYear, everyone! 🎉
