A day has 24 hours – that is certain. But what to do when your own energy is no longer sufficient to actively fill this time? In an increasingly fast-paced and changing world, many find it difficult to keep up with their surroundings. The consequences range from temporary melancholy to severe depression and burnout. Responsible companies know this, and therefore rely on holistic concepts to actively promote the mental health of their employees and managers. It is often the same energy thieves that make life difficult for us in our everyday lives. It is therefore all the more important to be aware of them in order to effectively combat their negative influence.

Focus on the most common energy thieves

There are many energy thieves. In the following, we will explain the most common energy thieves and what companies can do about them:

  • Poor time management: Time is money – Benjamin Franklin already knew that. But what do you do when there doesn't seem to be enough time? In many cases, this is due to a lack of time management. If you don't set priorities, don't create enough free space, and don't learn to say "no," you will quickly be robbed of your time and thus your energy. In everyday professional life, clever tools can help people improve their own time management. And HR managers are also called upon to support their employees in the fight against unnecessary time and energy robbers.
  • Social media: In recent years, social media have made unprecedented inroads into our daily lives. But this has not only had positive effects, because for many they have turned into real time and energy robbers. On average, every user in Germany spends around 84 minutes a day on social networks. Although this is still well below the global average, it is nevertheless alarming. Use also often has a negative impact on our state of mind. To promote healthy usage behaviour, companies should make their employees aware of the dangers of using social media, and show them how to use it efficiently and sensibly.
  • Tomorrow... : "What you can do today, don't put off until tomorrow" – there is some truth in this proverb. If you constantly put off important tasks, you put yourself under constant pressure and lose energy unnecessarily – with negative effects on your own health. Closely linked to good time management, clear expectations should therefore be created to enable transparent prioritization. Managers can provide particular support and valuable assistance in their daily dealings with employees.
  • Lack of sleep: People who sleep little or poorly cannot gather energy for the next day. Around 3.8 percent of all working people in Germany suffer from a sleep disorder – and the trend is rising. Statistically, women are affected more often than their male colleagues. To create better conditions for healthy and regular sleep, companies should ensure that rest periods are strictly observed. Irregular working hours and overtime are also a frequent indicator, but also trigger of sleep deprivation.
  • Unhealthy food: Those who eat an irregular and unhealthy diet are not doing their energy levels any good. This is especially true for meat- and carbohydrate-rich foods, but also alcohol and sugar. These put a strain on the body, require a lot of energy and can make you tired or even sick. A balanced and healthy diet thus becomes the cornerstone for a solid energy balance. Employers can also promote the eating habits of their employees with specific offers and awareness-raising measures. This includes not only what is offered in the cafeteria, but also possible health campaigns and nutritional counselling.

Using professional training to communicate proven strategies

Energy thieves lurk around every corner. But if you know the most common ones and take active action against them, you can improve your own time and energy management in the long term. Companies should have a special interest in supporting their employees and managers in identifying and eliminating their personal energy thieves. Professional awareness and training measures draw attention to classic energy thieves and demonstrate proven strategies for dealing with them more effectively. In this way, mental health can be effectively strengthened and a positive working atmosphere promoted. Security-Island offers innovative solutions for companies of all sizes and industries.