Research shows that toxic positivity—forcing joy or slapping a smiley face on problems—makes workplace stress worse, not better. This well-intentioned but misguided approach invalidates employees' genuine feelings and erodes trust, increasing overall stress levels.
Consultant Amy Lenker declines engagements on stress if a company isn't willing to work on trust first. She argues that without a foundation of psychological safety, any attempts to address stress are futile and won't be successful.
Offering self-care benefits like yoga or massages is not a viable stress strategy. These perks fail to address the root causes of a toxic workplace. You cannot use individual self-care to solve systemic organizational problems that are causing chronic stress.
The consequences of workplace stress are not confined to the office. A recent study highlights its severe personal impact, attributing work stress as a key factor in 70% of recent divorces or breakups, a figure that alarmingly rises to 79% for the Gen X demographic.
To begin managing stress, use a simple 'stress ruler.' By mentally rating your stress level on a scale of 0 to 10 throughout the day, you create small moments of awareness. This simple act is the crucial first step, as a lack of awareness is what leads to burnout.
The concept of "work-life balance" sets people, especially women, up for failure, shame, and guilt. A more effective frame is "work-life harmony," which focuses on intentionally arranging the pieces of your life in a way that is uniquely satisfying for your current life season.