Latest news with #MentalHealthUK
Refinery29
11-07-2025
- Health
- Refinery29
Is It Even Possible To Recover From Burnout While Still Working?
Exhaustion day in, day out. Stress, pressure, an ever-growing to-do list. Procrastination caused by the overwhelm of it all. You're burnt out, and something's got to give eventually. Burnout is an ongoing part of the work landscape for many employees, it seems. Mental Health UK's 2025 Burnout Report highlighted that 9 in 10 of us experience high pressure at work. The charity defines burnout as a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often caused by a prolonged period of stress and pressure. As conversations around mental health and wellbeing have slowly become more normalised, so has admitting to being burnt out. Acknowledging you're burnt out is one thing, but knowing what to do to 'heal' that while still working… well, that's harder to figure out. As helpful as it would be to step out of work while still paid to recover, that isn't an option many of us have on the table. The experts say you can still recover from burnout while still at work, but it's going to require some conscious planning, and knowing where your limits are. The emotional toll of doing this when running on empty is certainly there, but we've gone to experts for practical solutions for dealing with your workload. Prioritise tasks at work Laura Kingston, founder of Leap Career Coaching, says prioritising tasks is the most vital first step. It might feel impossible in the moment, so take it slow and allow yourself a breather while figuring this out. 'Focus on what must be done that day only. Taking it one day at a time reduces overwhelm. There are different ways to do this, such as utilising the Eisenhower Matrix which helps you group tasks into levels of urgency and importance.' You can RAG (Red, Amber, Green) status your work, deal with the Reds only and park the Ambers and Greens until you have more energy and headspace for them, Kingston explains. 'Another great way to gain clarity on what must be done is via Stakeholder Mapping: Who are your key stakeholders? What workload is a priority to keep them happy? Who can you delegate work to? What work can you deprioritise? How can your team and manager support you? What meetings are you attending where you don't really need to be present?' Once you're clear on these things, do what needs to be done whilst still taking breaks, Kingston adds. Neglecting them isn't going to help you recover, and it won't do anyone else around you a favour by skipping lunch. This strategy might be hard to put into place if you always do the opposite, but you deserve to rest, too. Set boundaries at work While blasting through as much work as you can might feel like the right fix, if you're doing it at the expense of your wellbeing, the burnout isn't going to lift any time soon. Zara Easton, LinkedIn career expert, advises you to focus on yourself personally to beat the uphill battle of burnout. 'The key is to implement consistent, protective practices that prioritise your wellbeing,' Easton says. 'Start by setting firm boundaries around your work hours and digital availability — truly disconnecting during your off-time is non-negotiable. Ensure you are taking all your breaks, even short ones, to mentally reset.' Again, this might feel unnatural if you aren't in the habit of taking breaks, so try to remind yourself that you've earned them. Easton believes investing in your mental and physical health is the 'smartest career move' you can make. 'While these practices won't resolve deep-seated issues overnight, they are vital for conserving your energy, fostering small wins, and creating the necessary space for recovery within your existing environment,' she says. Kingston adds that getting outside on your lunch break with a walk with your favourite music plugged in isn't to be underestimated. Ask for extra support from your manager We all need an extra helping hand at some point down the road. We're working for longer than ever before, with retirement ages being pushed back what feels like constantly. It's only natural that at points in our career journeys more support will be needed. Kingston says it's important to chat about expectations with your manager and see if anything can be taken off your plate. It's good to be honest, but solution focused, she advises. She says it's worth pondering: Can you reduce your hours? Start work later? Work compressed hours to take off Fridays? Also find out if your company provides therapy, coaching or any other type of employee assistance. 'If burnout is impacting your way of life, you need to seriously consider your options and look after yourself,' Kingston says. 'Are you still feeling exhausted after a rest? This is a sign that you may need some time off. Your mental, emotional, and physical health should be your top priority. The earlier you reach out for support and give yourself space to recover, the sooner you'll start to feel better. Speak to your doctor who can offer you advice, there are also free helplines you can call for mental health support.' It might also be a case of simply not being in the right job, whether it's the work itself or the company culture. In which case, set 'mini goals' while searching for a new role to keep the energy required for this low but consistent. None of this stuff is easy, but you can do it.
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brits reach record levels of burnout as GPs call for one major change
New data has shown that British women are more affected by burnout than anywhere else in Europe - with symptoms including physical exhaustion, headaches, and feelings of dread More than half of young women in the UK have experienced burnout, with the country facing higher levels of the problem than anywhere else in Europe, new data has revealed. In the UK, 56% of women between the ages of 18 to 24 said they have experienced burnout, according to the STADA Health Report 2025. Meanwhile, 44% of those aged 35 to 44 also said they had suffered from it. Both figures are significantly higher than the global average, with two thirds of Brits having dealt with burnout, compared to 34% of people across Europe. The report surveyed 27,000 people from 22 countries. Burnout has been classed as an 'occupational phenomenon' by the World Health Organization, and is described as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It can be caused by stress and can lead to feeling so detached and demotivated that 'it impacts your ability to function and you feel hopeless that your situation can change', Mental Health UK explains. Someone's behaviour can change due to burnout and they may appear less productive, excessively tired, irritable or isolated. They may also have difficulty concentrating and could rely on excessive alcohol or drugs, the charity says. British men are also experiencing higher levels of burnout than their European counterparts - with 43% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 36% of 35 to 44-year-olds going through it compared to men in other countries. Dr Anisha Patel, a GP and TV doctor, said that burnout is 'one of the most pressing issues facing individuals today'. She added: 'I myself have suffered from burnout and as clinicians, we're seeing more and more people at breaking point mentally, which can also impact their physical health and it's clear that our mental health services need not only more investment, but cultural change.' Despite the high levels of burnout, Brits rarely report mental health as a reason for sick leave, particularly in comparison to the rest of Europe. In fact, only 22% said they had called in sick at work due to stress. Dr Patel said: 'What's striking is how stigma continues to hold us back. Despite widespread experiences of burnout, the UK still reports low levels of people taking sick leave for mental health reasons compared to other European countries. This suggests people are still suffering in silence and in 2025, that just shouldn't be the case.' For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. In March, the health secretary revealed that the government's mental health spending amounted to £14.9 billion. Wes Streeting said that for 2025-26, this figure is expected to reach £15.6 billion, which he said 'represents another significant up lift in real terms spending on mental health'. Streeting explained that the spending would allow Labour to deliver its manifesto commitments, including recruiting 8,500 mental health staff members, modernising the Mental Health Act, providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, and creating a network of community Young Futures Hubs. The report also found that only 17% of Europeans are engaged in some sort of professional or self-help routine for their mental health and just 10% work with therapists or counsellors. It states: 'One possible reason for this low uptake – apart from accessibility, which is insufficient in most countries – may be how mental health is valued at the systemic level. Three in five (60%) Europeans think that mental and physical health are not treated equally in their country's healthcare system.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman preparing to do 100 star jumps a day next month to aid mental health charity
A WOMAN is preparing to do 100 star jumps a day next month to raise money for a mental health charity. Clare Hurst will take on the challenge throughout August in support of Mental Health UK. The 38-year-old, of Heckmondwike, said: "I've suffered with my mental health in the past and I wanted to do something to help such an important charity so it can help others. "Mental Health UK is a charity very close to my heart, and I'm determined to do these 100 star jumps throughout August to raise as much money as I can. "I also want to raise awareness of mental health and get more people talking about the topic. "I've overcome many challenges with my mental health, but I want other people who are suffering to know that help is out there, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and things will get better." Clare thanked everyone who has supported her so far. To donate, visit Mental Health UK's website states: "We are the charity for everyone's mental health. "We challenge the causes of poor mental health and provide people with the tools they need to live their best possible life at home, school and work."
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish hypnotherapist Elle Kay launches new free wellness app for busy overwhelmed minds
Most people already know what they should be doing to feel healthier, but constant pressure and stress can make it hard to follow through. In fact, 91% of UK adults say they've experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year (Mental Health UK, 2025). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... That's because lasting change isn't just about willpower, it's about what's happening in the mind. The Elle Kay app is designed to make change feel easier, calmer, and more natural. Registered hypnotherapist Elle Kay has launched a simple, powerful mindset app designed for busy minds that struggle to stay on track. Built especially for people who already know what they want, but just can't seem to follow through, the app helps users break free from burnout loops, self-sabotage, and unhealthy habits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Created by Elle Kay, a professionally accredited hypnotherapist with a diploma in behavioural neuroscience and over 20 years of experience in education and wellbeing, the app offers bite-sized, self-led hypnotherapy courses on stress, confidence, weight loss, emotional habits, and more. Elle Kay is on a mission to make personal transformation feel easy, with her brand-new self-hypnosis app in hand. It's ideal for professionals juggling work, family, and high expectations, who are tired of the 'just try harder' advice and want something that actually works with how the brain is wired. Now available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, the free Elle Kay app opens with a free mini course called Make Change Easy. This includes a short audio session, a subliminal audio, a mindset video, and a gentle workbook offering a calm, clear way to begin rewiring the mind for real results. All content inside the app is created by Elle herself, who knows first-hand how damaging stress can be. After being rushed to hospital with a stress-related heart condition, Elle rebuilt her life from the ground up. She left her career, retrained in hypnotherapy and dedicated herself to understanding how real transformation happens - not through pushing harder, but through rewiring the mind at its roots. Her mission is to help people create lasting change in a way that feels calm, grounded, and doable. Elle Kay, founder of the app, says: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I created this because people are exhausted. They're in survival mode, overwhelmed, and constantly told to just 'get motivated' but that doesn't work. This app is built on neuroscience and hypnotherapy, and it's designed to make change feel easy again. You don't need hours or a long morning routine, you just need 15 minutes a day to start feeling better. Seeing the app go live is such a proud moment for me, because I know it's going to help so many people.' About Elle Kay
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Warning to anyone taking common tablets as Met Office says 33C heatwave looms
Brits taking a common type of medication should be prepared for potential adverse effects during spells of hot weather, experts have said, as new forecasts show 33C temperatures on the way Experts have issued a warning to Brits taking a common type of medication amid new warnings of a sweltering heatwave. After several days of hot, dry weather, temperatures are set to ramp up even further over the next few days before peaking at 33C on Sunday afternoon, according to forecasters. Yesterday, the Met Office confirmed the continuing warm air coming from continental Europe means it is now likely that large areas of the UK will pass the official heatwave threshold by the weekend, an announcement that will no doubt be welcomed by many up and down the country. But for the estimated 8.7million people in England who take antidepressants, these prolonged spells of hot weather can have potential adverse effects, experts say. According to Mental Health UK, some antidepressants, such as SNRIs, antipsychotic medication, and some SSRIs, can affect body temperature regulation and make you more sensitive to heat. For antipsychotic medications, this includes amisulpride (brand name Solian), aripiprazole (Abilify), clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex), lurasidone (Latuda), olanzapine (Zypadhera, Zyprexa), paliperidone (Invega, Xeplion), quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XL), risperidone (Risperdal, Risperdal Consta), chlorpromazine, flupentixol, and haloperidol. This has also been reported in tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, mianserin, and trazodone, and SSRIs such as sertraline, citalopram, and fluoxetine, reports the Manchester Evening News. On its website, the Mental Health UK charity adds that interfering with temperature regulation is often listed as a potential side effect of the drugs, so it is important to check the leaflet of your medication if you are concerned. Dr Sameer Sanghvi, a practising GP and Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, explained: "Common antidepressants can all stop the temperature regulating area of the brain functioning as it should. "Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. "However, SNRIs are known to cause excessive sweating and thus dehydration, while SSRIs have been linked to heat intolerance and heat stroke." Dr Sanghvi said people should not stop taking their medication during hot weather and to always consult your doctor before making changes to your mental health medication. He added: "The best thing you can do is take precautions to stay cool: stick to the shade; drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol; keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm; avoid exercising in the hottest parts of the day; and wear loose, breathable clothing." Heat health alert issued It comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow heat health alert for Midlands, South and East England, Yorkshire and Humber, and London. The alert - which is in place from 12pm tomorrow until 6pm on Sunday - is sent out by the UKHSA to local and national officials in the healthcare sector when it is believed adverse temperatures are "likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population." This includes an "increased risk to health" among vulnerable groups, including those aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions.
