Johannesburg - A study by Ipsos Global and Reuters shows that up to 53 percent of South Africa’s working population don't take their annual leave.
We are a hard-working nation, but our industrious ways have a downside.
Statistics show that employee absenteeism, mainly attributed to workplace stress, burnout and ill-health, costs the South African economy between R12 billion and R16bn annually.
Luckily there are day-to-day actions you can take to help manage your fatigue and make the most of the rest of the year.
CULT Raw Energy presents three steps to combat fatigue and boost energy levels.
With the thought of summer on the horizon, we are starting to fantasise about early sunrises and later sunsets; fewer sick days and everyone being in better spirits with the increase of much-needed sunshine and vitamin D.
Having such a large percentage of the country’s working population not taking their annual leave, combined with the fact that one in three South Africans suffers from stress-related fatigue, means that companies and individuals face a significant loss of productivity.
“The fast pace of modern living has resulted in always being connected and on the go. This means that, more than ever before, it is important to keep your energy levels up in order to maintain a competitive level of productivity.”
This is the view of Sebastian Groenskov, CULT Raw Energy's country manager.
What then is workplace fatigue and how can you combat its effects?
Fatigue is generally defined as a feeling of lack of energy and motivation that can be physical, mental or both.
The main causes are continued exposure to high stress levels, repetitive tasks and the modern phenomenon of constant connectivity through various electronic devices.
Although workplace fatigue seems like a large problem to tackle, it can be easily managed, without having to take weeks of leave just to recharge.
By incorporating only three small steps into your daily routine it is easy to keep energy levels at an optimum and productivity where you want it.
1. Take care of yourself
Get regular exercise, keep a tight sleep schedule, aim to get eight hours every night and make sure to have regular small snacks throughout the day to keep your energy levels up.
If you are having a crazy day, a sugar-free energy drink will help to get you through that tough mid-afternoon dip.
Also remember that maintaining your close personal relationships goes a long way, so keep in touch with your friends and family (even it's just to vent the daily work frustrations).
2. Prioritise and organise
Planning is key here. Get to work 15 minutes earlier to allow yourself that little bit of breathing space and time to visualise the coming day.
Prioritise tasks in order of importance: if there is something unpleasant to do, get it done early. It will improve the quality of the rest of your work day.
Plan small regular breaks into your day and delegate responsibility to other people capable of doing the task. Let go of the need to control every small detail.
Try to find that perfect balance between work, family, social activities and downtime.
3. Improve your emotional intelligence
This might seem like an odd bit of advice to boost productivity, but recognising and using emotions in positive and productive ways is about effective communication with others, easing the way for day-to-day interactions and lessening the frustrations that contribute to your fatigue.
Even in an increasingly stressful job environment, anyone can maintain self-control and confidence using emotional intelligence.
Combating workplace fatigue guarantees better productivity and a more rewarding working environment.
Luckily you now have easy- to-identify ways to manage your fatigue in the short term and in the long term.
Your body and your bank balance will thank you, enabling you to enjoy your hard-earned freedom to the fullest when you finally take that annual leave.
THE STAR