In the professional world, many people feel disengaged, exhausted, or even lost in the face of ever-increasing expectations. 🌍 In France, 70% of employees believe their work environment negatively affects their mental health (INRS, 2023). Across Europe, over 60% of employees report feeling stressed or disconnected from their professional environment (European Well-Being Barometer, 2023). These alarming figures highlight a fundamental truth: it is urgent to rethink our relationship with work.
In this article, inspired by Michel Bienert’s reflection on love at work (see his article L’Amour au travail. Ce n’est pas ce que vous croyez!“), we explore how this concept, far from being romantic, can be a powerful tool for re-enchanting our professional lives.
Why is love at work essential? ❤️
Michel Bienert explains that love at work should not be understood in a romantic sense, but rather as a reconciliation with oneself, one’s values, and one’s professional environment. This love is built on solid pillars:
Understanding your deep aspirations and values 🌟 Being aligned with your own values gives real meaning to your activity. Without this alignment, work often becomes a source of frustration and burnout.
Cultivating active communication and listening 🤝 A kind and empathetic communication with oneself and others is essential for diffusing tensions and strengthening collaboration within teams.
Overcoming personal and collective blocks 🚀 These blocks, whether linked to limiting beliefs or organisational constraints, can hinder personal and professional growth.
When these elements come together, they can transform a sometimes hostile or stressful work environment into a place where everyone can thrive.
Body signals: when stress speaks for us 🧠
In our daily practice at Re-connexion, we regularly encounter people suffering from physical manifestations related to stress and overwork: migraines, sleep disorders, muscle tension, or chronic pain.
These symptoms are often not addressed in time, yet they serve as valuable alerts. For example, the Eurofound 2023 study reveals that 45% of European employees suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) directly linked to professional stress.
👉 Take the example of Pierre (a fictional name), a senior executive at a telecommunications company. For months, he suffered from debilitating back pain. By working together, we discovered that his discomfort stemmed from a deep misalignment between his personal values and the practices of his company. This introspective work allowed him to transition into a role more aligned with his aspirations, and his pain gradually disappeared.
These bodily signals must be listened to and interpreted to avoid long-term health impacts.
Identifying early signals 🔎
Work-related stress does not always manifest in obvious ways. It can appear in different forms:
Physical: headaches, digestive issues, unexplained fatigue. Emotional: irritability, feeling overwhelmed, outbursts of tears or anger. Behavioural: absenteeism, procrastination, disengagement, or social isolation.
One of the most serious consequences of ignoring these signals is burnout. Research shows that this phenomenon can reduce productivity by 40% and have serious repercussions on both mental and physical health.
Reconnecting with oneself to move forward 🌈
In the face of these challenges, the first step towards well-being is to step back and ask the right questions:
Am I aligned with my deep aspirations? 🤔 What are my real needs today? 🔍 What first steps can I take towards greater well-being? 🚶♀️
This journey of inner reconciliation can be supported by simple but effective practices.
Some practical strategies to reconnect 🌟
Reconnecting with oneself is an essential process, especially when professional stress begins to affect our overall well-being. These strategies, both simple and effective, help restore long-term balance.
We have already shared several practical tips in our article “10 Tips for Managing Stress at Work and Preventing Burnout”. Here, we go further into some of these ideas and provide new pathways to progress.
- Practice mindfulness 🌬️
Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment to reduce stress and intrusive thoughts.
How to implement it?
Take 5 minutes each morning to breathe deeply and observe your sensations. Before an important task, take a moment to refocus by concentrating on your breath. Integrate tools like meditation apps or guided videos that suit your rhythm.
Benefits: Stress reduction, better focus, and decreased rumination.
- Keep a personal journal 📖
Writing is a powerful way to explore your emotions, clarify your thoughts, and track your progress.
Ideas to get started:
Write down what worked well in your day, what frustrated you, and what could be improved. Try guided questions like: What gives me energy? What drains me? Reread your previous entries to identify recurring patterns or stress triggers.
- Create rituals to disconnect ⏳
In our hyper-connected world, it is vital to define moments of disconnection to preserve your balance.
Examples of rituals:
Turn off notifications on your phone during set periods. Plan screen-free time before bed to promote restful sleep. Make it a habit to disconnect after work with restorative activities like exercise, reading, or a walk.
- Integrate regular physical activity 🏃♂️
Physical exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress while boosting your energy and mood.
Tips:
Choose an activity you enjoy: dancing, fast walking, swimming, etc. Set realistic goals: 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough to start. Try activities that combine movement and relaxation, such as yoga or tai chi.
- Return to your core values 🌟
Work-related stress often stems from a misalignment between your personal values and your professional environment.
How to address it?
Clarify your priorities by asking yourself: What really matters to me? Reflect on how your current job reflects (or doesn’t reflect) your aspirations. If there’s a gap, consider adjustments: reorganising your priorities, talking to your employer, or even exploring a new path.
- Learn to say no 🚫
Setting boundaries is essential to avoid overload. Saying yes to everything may seem productive in the short term, but it often leads to gradual burnout.
Tips for setting boundaries:
Assess your capacity before taking on a new task. Practice assertive responses: “I can’t take this on right now, but I can help you later.” Consider each “no” as an opportunity to respect yourself more.
A multidisciplinary approach for holistic well-being 🌱
Some situations require external support to better identify and overcome obstacles.
At Re-connexion, we work with a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to support those who wish to better manage their stress and prevent burnout. Our services combine therapy, coaching, naturopathy, reflexology, and group workshops. Individual and duo sessions focus on emotions, limiting beliefs, and bodily signals, while promoting prevention and healing.
We also collaborate with practices such as ASPIS, a multidisciplinary medical centre in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, where we work alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths, and general practitioners to offer comprehensive support.
Finally, through partnerships with networks such as WeAreReady4U and MetaCoaching, we offer programmes like Vitality@Work. These initiatives aim to help companies prevent burnout, identify stress factors, and promote a culture of well-being.
And you, where do you stand with your “love at work”? 💭
Take a moment to reflect on your situation:
Are you in alignment with what you do every day? Are your emotions and body trying to send you a message?
We are here to support you with kindness and expertise. Together, let’s move towards a more harmonious and fulfilling professional future.
To go further:
- European Well-Being Barometer (2023)
- Christina Maslach’s work on burnout
- Vitality@Work programme – WeAreReady4U
#Burnout #Reconnexion #WellBeingAtWork