By Taryn Phaneuf | NerdWallet
According to TikTok trends, people are finding ways to pull back at work, whether it’s through “quiet quitting” or adopting “Bare Minimum Monday” to combat the dreaded “Sunday scaries.”
An industrial and organizational psychologist, Cristina Banks, explains that the shift towards making work a smaller part of life is a permanent change that many people experienced while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working remotely gave individuals more autonomy and a clearer understanding of the value of their time. They could prioritize activities like exercise or spending time with their children rather than wasting time in traffic on their way to the office.
Now, as these workers are being asked to return to pre-pandemic norms, it’s difficult for them to relinquish control over their work schedules. Many are embracing trends like Bare Minimum Monday, which encourages them to focus only on the most important tasks at the beginning of the week in order to maintain a sense of control.
However, the choice to devote less time and energy to work may also stem from a more concerning issue: burnout. Surveys consistently show that a significant number of workers are on the brink of burnout.
Recognizing the challenges that workers face, this article explores a tactic that can help them cope.
Burnout and the Impact on Mental Health
The 2023 Work in America Survey by the American Psychological Association reveals that approximately 3 out of 4 workers experienced work-related stress in the last month. Over half of these individuals reported experiencing negative effects, including emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation, desire to quit, decreased productivity, and irritability.
The statistics surrounding mental health at work are so concerning that it has become a top priority for public health and business organizations in recent years. The surgeon general’s office, for example, has identified various stressors that contribute to declining mental health in the workplace, such as heavy workloads, long commutes, unpredictable schedules, long hours, limited autonomy, and low wages.
While the solution should come from employers, there is a disconnect between executives’ perceptions of their employees’ well-being and the reality. C-suite executives tend to have a more optimistic view of workers’ mental health, despite employees reporting that their mental health has stayed the same or worsened.
In light of this disconnect, workers may need to take matters into their own hands. Bare Minimum Monday, a trend that originated on TikTok, encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being over productivity. By focusing on the most vital tasks and allowing themselves time for self-care or creative pursuits, workers can avoid burnout and be more productive in the long run.
Understanding Bare Minimum Monday
Bare Minimum Monday is a trend started by Marisa Jo Mayes, a content creator and co-founder of Spacetime Monotasking. Mayes describes it as a way to ease into the workweek without feeling overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. The concept revolves around doing only what is absolutely necessary for work and then dedicating time to self-care, creative endeavors, or any activity that brings joy.
Mayes herself experienced the negative effects of burnout before adopting Bare Minimum Monday. She found that by cutting herself some slack, she became more productive than she ever thought possible.
The Benefits of Bare Minimum Monday
Practicing Bare Minimum Monday allows individuals to alleviate the pressure of an unrealistic workload and fosters self-compassion, ultimately helping them avoid burnout. Interestingly, lowering expectations for daily accomplishments can paradoxically enhance productivity.
Banks suggests that employers should appreciate the positive results workers achieve through practices like Bare Minimum Monday. As long as employees remain productive, there should be no concern about where or for how long they work.
The article What ‘Bare Minimum Monday’ Gets Right About Easing Stress at Work originally appeared on NerdWallet.
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