Our minds and bodies are resilient things – and they can even thrive when they’re pushed just a little further than we think possible. If you overexert yourself on a continual basis, however, then you’re taking a risk that will, in time, cause you avoidable pain and injury.
This has implications when it comes to the way that we spend our leisure time – but it’s also very relevant in the workplace. In many cases, it can be useful to look at resilience from a different angle.
The myth of unstoppable resilience
Resilience can be viewed as something that needs to be sustained through sheer willpower. We might simply tell ourselves that we’re going to persevere with whatever challenges life serves up. But there’s another view, borne out by the data, that resilience is a finite resource that must be continually replenished.
Around 1.7 million workers in the UK suffered work-related ill health in 2023/24. This amounted to around 33.7 million lost working days. And these figures are almost certainly an underestimate of the true extent of the problem, since they fail to account for workers who are present, but not working to their full capability.
Injury, illness & the hidden costs of ignoring warning signs
Often, our bodies provide us with warning signs before we get to the point that we need to sign off from work. These might take the form of exhaustion and fatigue, or more specific musculoskeletal pain. If your hands and shoulders ache after spending all day at a desk, then it might be time to think about ergonomic changes. In the UK, non-fatal occupational injuries are rife, with rates virtually unchanged since the pandemic.
Responding rather than reacting: recovery as resilience
When you’re presented with the warning signs, a more effective form of resilience might be to recognise that you’re approaching a threshold, and to take a step back. If you take some time away, and seek the support of friends and colleagues, then you might be able to return to work feeling refreshed and invigorated. You might decide, upon reflection, that your workload is unsustainable, and that you need a change of duties, or even a change of career.
You might also recover from a disastrous injury, with the right financial support. For example, seeking compensation after a fall from height might be the start of a journey toward a new, better career.
Workplace culture, support systems and psychological safety
If the culture of your workplace doesn’t support psychological and physical safety, then you might struggle as an individual to battle against the prevailing attitudes, and to seek support when you need it. According to the Royal Society of Public Health, a fundamental shift in attitudes is required – but if you can’t wait for this revolution to unfold, it might be time to seek out a new and different workplace.
Practical steps to rebuild strength, identity and work-life balance
The good news is that many of the steps you can take are simple and practical. Periodic reflection on the symptoms you’re experiencing, taking active mental and physical recovery seriously, and making changes to your workload, as well as yourself, can all be effective steps.
