What is allostasis?
Allostasis is a natural process in which a person’s body responds to stressors. Essentially, it’s the way our bodies adapt to changes in the environment and other challenges. For example, if an employee is stressed about an upcoming presentation, their body may produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Assuming that the same employee is also worried about an upcoming deadline for an important project, their body will continue to release stress hormones faster than it can purge them. This cycle increases their allostatic load.
What is allostatic load?
In 1993, Dr. Bruce McEwan, a neuroscientist at Rockefeller University, coined the term “allostatic load”. The concept describes the physiological effects of frequent and recurring allostasis. Constantly needing to adapt to stress can wear down a person’s body and its systems, which can lead to illnesses and diseases.
To better understand how allostasis and allostatic load are connected, imagine the human body as a car. Allostasis, the natural process of responding to stressors, is like pressing the gas pedal to speed up when needed. Allostatic load is like the wear and tear on the car’s engine from always being revved up so high.
Understanding allostatic load
The link between chronic stress and increased allostatic load suggests that the effects of stress and anxiety compound over time. This is likely due to the intensity of the body’s stress response.
Also referred to as the fight-or-flight response, this is a heightened state of vigilance that triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Meant to prepare the body for an oncoming threat, this state is ideal for adapting to sudden danger.
The problem is that the body can’t distinguish between real and perceived threats. For someone with anxiety, this can lead to a fight-or-flight state that doesn’t go away, exhausting the mind and body.
But anxiety isn’t the only thing that can increase allostatic load. Lack of exercise, a poor diet and too little sleep are also heightening factors.
Allostatic load and employee burnout
An excessive allostatic load can affect a person in many ways, with one of the most common being burnout .
As some studies have suggested, a prolonged allostatic load increase can deplete the body, leaving it unable to cope with even slight stressors. For professionals, this can mean a loss of motivation and job satisfaction.
Because the workplace can present its own set of stressors, it may exacerbate an already-high allostatic load. If left untreated, the result is often a physical and mental burnout.
How burnout affects the workplace
Burnout is essentially a period of physical exhaustion and mental disengagement. It can leave an employee feeling drained, both physically and mentally. In the workplace, this can have a number of consequences.
Burned-out employees tend to display a lack of enthusiasm. This can lead to missed deadlines or a decline in the quality of submitted work. You might also notice a lack of productivity in employees who are typically self-motivated. Disinterest in socialization is another common effect of burnout . Employees might adopt a negative attitude at work or even stop attending altogether.
Prolonged burnout can reduce job satisfaction and may ultimately lead to higher turnover rates. Combined with a drop in productivity and output, this can result in financial strain for the company—not to mention a damaged workplace environment.
Helping employees manage allostatic load
A person’s job is not always the source of their allostatic overload. But in some cases, it can be a contributing factor.
As an employer, you may not be able to address the root of the problem. However, there are some ways you can help employees manage their allostatic load.
Recognize symptoms of burnout
In growing your understanding of allostatic load, you’ve already begun familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of burnout . Recognizing these symptoms in your own employees can help you spot the signs of allostatic overload before it does too much damage.
In identifying burnout early on, you can take steps to minimize its effects. Whether this is temporarily reducing an employee’s workload or simply expressing your support, even small steps can contribute to a reduced allostatic load.
Delegate work fairly
Delegating work effectively is a key part of any leadership role. But the amount of work an employee can handle might fluctuate over time.
While it’s tempting to give capable employees a healthy workload, an extended period of high-intensity work can lead to prolonged stress. Consider switching to a priority-based approach so employees know where to direct the most attention. Allowing your team to express workload concerns can help you delegate tasks to the right employee each time.
Promote a healthy work-life balance
An unhealthy work-life balance is one of the most common sources of stress for employees. Without enough time to decompress each week, they’re more likely to experience burnout.
Balancing work and personal life effectively can also increase productivity and boost morale. Employees who feel balanced tend to feel more satisfied with their job overall.
Encouraging employees to use their PTO can make their downtime more restorative, and limiting work to business hours prevents professional life from encroaching on the personal. Allowing flexible schedules can give employees more freedom to address at-home demands, resulting in less stress.
Schedule regular check-ins
Checking in with each employee on a regular basis can be a good way to show you’re invested in their success. One-on-one sessions can help you gauge their satisfaction and provide a space for them to address concerns.
Regular check-ins can also make it easier to identify signs of an oncoming burnout. If you notice an employee struggling, this can be a good time to assess their needs and work collaboratively to come up with a solution.
Cultivate a supportive working environment
A positive working environment can significantly decrease the potential for job-based stress. Creating a space like this for your own team may prevent burnout or make it easier to address.
Encourage employees to develop relationships with each other to strengthen communication. Building collaborative teams can simplify problem-solving and boost employee satisfaction overall.
Establishing a shared vision for the team can also facilitate a sense of purpose in each employee. With that, they’ll be more engaged and less likely to develop fatigue that could result in a higher allostatic load.
