Linking loneliness and burnout

Pre-pandemic employees could spend up to forty hours a week together. This of course changed dramatically and many people have benefited from the increased flexibility and autonomy brought by home and hybrid working. However, it has also created a wellbeing issue where reduced social interaction has led to a lack of connection and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Now, studies have shown that feelings of loneliness can contribute to and exacerbate burnout with research from the American Psychological Association showing a strong link between the social support we get at work and lower rates of burnout.

There are a number of ways loneliness can increase the risk of burnout. These include:

- Emotional Exhaustion: Loneliness can lead to feelings of emotional isolation and disconnection which can result in feelings of emptiness and a heightened sense of stress. Social interactions provide emotional replenishment and without this employees can become emotionally exhausted.

- Increased Perception of Stress: Without a support system employees may feel they have to handle their challenges alone, increasing the perceived burden of stress and making negative experiences feel more intense as there are no social buffers to mitigate these feelings.

- Reduced Resilience: Social connections provide strategies and advice for coping with stress and without access to these resources employees are less resilient in the face of challenges. Loneliness can also increase vulnerability to stress, as social interactions can serve as a protective barrier against it.

- Mental Health Decline: Loneliness is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression which can drain energy and focus and lead to negative self-perception and low self-esteem, undermining confidence and motivation.

- Reduced Job Satisfaction and Engagement: Loneliness can lead to disengagement which reduces motivation and satisfaction. Without social interactions that provide recognition and validation employees may feel unappreciated and undervalued, leading to decreased job satisfaction.

- Physical Health Deterioration: Loneliness can contribute to chronic stress which has negative effects on physical health, leading to increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.

- Lack of Social Support at Work: If a team lacks support and camaraderie employees may feel isolated. A lack of mentorship and guidance can leave employees feeling unsupported, making it harder to navigate work-related challenges.

A strong social network can help employees connect more easily with colleagues and benefit from their support and advice as well as from feelings of camaraderie and companionship. The creation of a supportive and inclusive work environment where social interactions are encouraged and mental health resources provided can help mitigate feelings of loneliness and drive the overall well-being and success of employees.