The Hidden Concerns of Emotional Exhaustion

When employees have emotional stability, they’re less likely to leave. We all have our emotional limits, and when they’re reached, we become stressed, ill, or face burnout. Recognizing emotional labor before it becomes emotional exhaustion is a crucial first step in coping effectively and avoiding the manynegative ramifications of both.

The impact of emotional labor.

Emotional labor, a term coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild, refers to the internal work needed to manage the feelings of others and our emotional reactions. Over time, emotional labor can become emotional exhaustion, leading to burnout and an increased risk of stress-related illness. Once emotional labor tips into unmanageable, reestablishing balance can be challenging. Recognizing emotional labor and proactively avoiding emotional exhaustion can help individuals better understand and address their emotional well-being and seek appropriate interventions.

The cost of exhaustion.

Emotional exhaustion comes at a cost to both employees and employers. Take Meg, who had a career crisis, not just because of her job but because she was emotionally exhausted. Meg told me, “I had marriage problems, a wayward teenager, and then, my employer announced a reorganization that changed everything about my day-to-day job role. I began to literally shut down – emotionally, mentally, and then physically.” Meg ended up quitting her job during that period.

Although emotional exhaustion and stress are related concepts involving emotional and psychological experiences, they differ in a few ways. For example, stress is a natural and adaptive response to challenging and demanding situations. It reacts to external pressures, such as work deadlines and family matters. Stress is not always negative and can motivate individuals to take action and perform better. On the other hand, emotional exhaustion is a specific state of emotional drain and depletion. It often results from prolonged or chronic emotional stress or a high volume of high-stress intensity in a short period. Emotional exhaustion also refers to reaching the limit of the internal labor needed to manage our feelings actively.

The effect of stress management programs.

Many employers offer stress management programs, about 50% of employers, according to a survey of 152 medium to large-sized companies conducted by Business Group on Health (BGH) and Fidelity Investments in 2020. Yet, employees forget about programs and resources or don’t recognize the value they can have during times of emotional labor and exhaustion. Subsequently, these resources are underutilized.

Additionally, a study by Fishbowl found that of those surveyed, 58% of employees said they suffered from job burnout. According to BGH, more than a quarter of U.S. employees would like their employer to provide additional support for potential burnout. Here is an opportunity to provide strategic and targeted support for stress management, particularly emotional labor and exhaustion awareness.

How can organizations mitigate the adverse effects of emotional exhaustion?

By taking proactive steps to help create learning opportunities around health and self-awareness. Other self-empowering suggestions include:

• Boundary setting

• Crucial conversation training

• EAPs – Employee Assistance Program

• and Emotional Assistance Program

• Emotional Intelligence training

• Emotional recovery and rest

• Health navigation training

• Meditation

• Mindfulness practice

• Positive psychology

• Self-care strategies

• Skillful self-observation

• Spiritual support

• Stress management

• Support seeking

In summary, emotional exhaustion is a specific state of psychological fatigue that results in psychological exhaustion and can result in burnout, reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher employer turnover. Employers can proactively create opportunities where self-awareness intersects with relevant resources. Offer various options to improve emotional health, continually communicate, and strategically market its availability. Don’t let emotional exhaustion wear your employees down.

Emotional labor and exhaustion come with a hidden cost and should not go unrecognized, unspoken, and unaddressed in your organization.