It’s stress awareness month, Fans of Plans, so let’s talk about burnout...

Burnout doesn’t usually happen overnight. It builds up slowly through pressure, constant notifications, unrealistic deadlines, and the feeling that you always need to be “on.” One of the best things we can do for our colleagues and teams is to actively help create a healthier work environment through small, thoughtful actions.

An important way to reduce burnout is by being realistic with deadlines and expectations. If you manage projects or tasks, try to build in buffer time and avoid making everything “urgent.” When everything is urgent, people feel constant pressure and stress, which quickly leads to burnout.

It also helps to check in with colleagues regularly, not just about work but about workload. A simple “How’s your workload this week?” can open the door for someone to say they’re overwhelmed before it becomes a bigger problem. Encouraging people to take breaks and actually use their annual leave is also very important. Rested people are more productive, more creative, and generally happier at work.

A simple but very effective tip is using the delay send email function. If you’re working late or early in the morning, schedule your email to send during normal working hours. This prevents others from feeling pressure to respond outside of their own work time and helps set a healthier team culture where people don’t feel like they must always be available.

Another helpful habit is being clear in communication. If something can wait, say so. If there is no need for an immediate reply, write “No rush on this” in the message. Small phrases like this can remove a lot of unnecessary pressure.

Creating a workplace that avoids burnout isn’t about big dramatic changes. It’s about small, consistent actions that show respect for people’s time, energy, and wellbeing. When teams look out for each other in these ways, people feel supported rather than pressured, and that makes a huge difference.


PS If you want to stimulate your brain outside of the workplace, check out the Philosopher-in-Residence blog – out fortnightly on Thursdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe. Browse the latest edition ON NOSTALGIA - Make Me A Plan