Published: 14th April 2025.
Last updated: 14th April 2025.
Author: Cara Sherratt.

Workplace stress can lead to an increase in sick days, increased tension between teams and can, in-turn, start to increase business costs. It is no understatement to say that mental health should be prioritised alongside physical health if you are looking to improve your workplace environment quality, culture and output. But when it comes to dealing with the impact of mental health, stress or burnout, having certified mental health first aiders who are trained to spot warning signs and know how to properly develop strategies to improve the wellbeing of others can be vital. Discover how mental health first aid training can benefit individuals by equipping delegates with important, potentially life-saving, knowledge and the training to create lasting positive impacts when it comes to improving mental health at work.

What is Stress?

Stress is a natural response to external pressures or demand, and it is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. There are various factors that can increase or decrease the levels of stress that individuals feel at their workplace and factors such as a heavy workload, tight deadlines, personal responsibilities, or even external events like financial problems or health concerns may be at play. Stress is typically temporary and although usually looked at from a negative perspective, small amounts of stress can be positive in problem-solving, motivating individuals to complete tasks or meet deadlines.

Common signs of stress include:

• Increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability or mood swings
• Muscle tension or headaches

Generally, certain levels of stress can be manageable. When stress levels are moderate and short-lived, or short-term (acute), the body and mind is capable of handling it without lasting damage.

But what happens when stress levels spill over and become all too much? Well, this can lead to burnout. Stress and burnout, if not managed correctly, can lead to a detrimental effect on quality and output.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is described as a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to excessive amounts of stress over time. Unlike stress, which is typically associated with feeling overwhelmed or challenged by external demands, burnout is often the result that occurs over time that leads to feeling disengaged, emotionally drained, and unable to cope with workloads or general life demands.

Common Signs of Burnout can Include:

• Lack of energy or chronic fatigue
• Feeling detached or isolated from people or projects
• A noticeable decrease in motivation or productivity
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• Physical symptoms like frequent illness, headaches, or problems sleeping may begin to present themselves
• Cynicism or negative thoughts about work or home life

Burnout develops over time and is often more severe than stress, leading to a sense of deep exhaustion, which in turn can make individuals feel as though there is a lack of accomplishment, or a sense of ineffectiveness, when it comes to their efforts and motivations.

How to Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout in the Workplace

• Set boundaries with your workloads – regular 121s can help to manage workload and priorities within your teams
• Practice stress-relieving techniques – take a look at our guide to wellbeing to see what simple steps you could introduce
• Take regular breaks and eat well when working
• Seek support from peers or management teams – we have a range of courses from mental health awareness to creating a supportive workplace as well as courses for manager and mental health first aiders
• Prioritize self-care and personal wellbeing
• Reevaluate or reshuffle your work-life balance
• Talk to someone Mental Health Certified or seek other professional help

What can start off as a healthy level of stress, if not met by a supportive workplace environment, can turn into deeper feelings of burnout over a prolonged amount of time. From spotting the signs, to tackling difficult conversations and implementing strategies to reduce burnout in your workplace, ensure you have the right training behind you to be able to effectively manage the impact of stress on the wellbeing of those around you.