In today’s fast paced world, stress is a constant companion for many people. We are constantly on the go and always trying to do more in less time. This can take a toll on our bodies, leading to allostatic load. Allostatic load is the cumulative wear and tear on our bodies due to stress. In this blog post, we will discuss what allostatic load is, how it builds up over time, and what people can do about it!
Allostatic load is the result of our bodies constantly being in a state of stress. When we are stressed, our bodies release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help us to deal with the stressor by preparing our bodies for fight or flight. However, if we are constantly under stress, our bodies never have a chance to recover.
That has been the case for many over the course of the pandemic and now that the world is preparing for life post-COVID, they may have overlooked allostatic load that hasn’t just gone away.
The cumulative wear and tear from stress in adjusting to COVID has led to all sorts of health problems, both physical and mental. Some of the more common problems include: anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. The allostatic load was likely already building before COVID. The pandemic just made it so much worse and stress management so much harder, especially when towns and cities went into severe lockdowns.
So what can we do about it?
First, it’s important to recognise the signs that your allostatic load is high. These can include: feeling constantly tired, having trouble sleeping, moodiness, and feeling overwhelmed. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to take a step back and assess your stress levels.
There are many ways to reduce stress in your life as part of effective coping strategies. Some people find that exercise helps to reduce stress, while others find that meditation or mindfulness are more effective. Even playing golf has been proven to have a beneficial impact on wellbeing. What’s important is that you find what works for you and make it a part of your daily routine and weekly schedule. Reducing stress in your life can help to lower your allostatic load and improve your overall health!
Next, it’s important to manage your expectations. In today’s society, the expectations is that we need to do more and be more. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and a lot of unnecessary stress. It’s important to take a step back and assess what is truly important in your life. Prioritise your health, your family, and your happiness. Once you have your priorities straight, it will be much easier to manage your expectations and stress levels.
Finally, it’s important to make time for yourself. In our busy lives, we often forget to take care of ourselves. We are so focused on taking care of others that we neglect our own needs. This can lead to burnout and an even higher allostatic load. Make sure to schedule in some time each week to do something that you enjoy, whether it’s reading, going for a walk, playing golf or taking a yoga class. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others! In fact, remember when you last flex in a commercial airliner? What does the flight attendant always ask you to do with the oxygen mask first?
One of the key reasons why we advocate moving to a 4 day work week is to reduce the allostatic load for employees but we believe that utilising the compressed work week method i.e. 10 hours per day over 4 days instead of 5, isn’t the solution. It does not alleviate allostatic load and could potentially increase it. Coupled with unrealistic expectations from management, it’s a recipe for disaster!
We believe that the allostatic load is a real and serious issue that needs to be addressed by businesses and can be addressed by implementing the right type of 4 day work week operating rhythm. What’s the right type? One that’s going to reduce employee turnover, improve wellbeing, and prepare employees to be future jobs ready.