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Beneath the Surface of Performance - Why Tired Staff is More Than Stress
As an employer, the most common symptoms detected are projects dragging on, lower creativity in meeting rooms, or increased short-term absence. But what is actually the cause of tired staff? To understand performance, we need to look beneath the surface – at the biochemical processes that drive humans.
Stress or Physical Imbalance – Which Weighs Heavier?
It is easy to categorize fatigue as "stress," but reality is often more nuanced. Work-related fatigue is an interplay between external pressure and the body's internal resilience.
Chronic stress drains the body's resources via the autonomic nervous system, but underlying physical imbalances, such as early iron deficiency or disrupted thyroid levels, can produce the same symptoms as burnout. Without medical screening, there is a risk of investing in the wrong interventions, such as talk therapy when supplements or medical treatment would have been more effective in some cases.
Markers That Affect Performance Most
To get an objective picture of staff health, a corporate health check should look closer at specific markers:
- Hormonal status: During long-term stress, cortisol levels fall out of phase, leading to "brain fog" and poor decision-making.
- Metabolic health: Unstable blood sugar levels cause energy dips that directly correlate with reduced cognitive ability during the afternoon.
- Blood status and Iron stores: Iron is central to oxygen transport. Low levels mean the brain and muscles are working against a headwind.
- Vitamin D and B12: Deficiency in these is common in the Nordics and is directly linked to fatigue, low mood, and concentration difficulties.
From Reactive to Proactive Management
Waiting until an employee goes on sick leave is costly. Investing in health checks not only gives the individual insight but creates a data-driven foundation for the company's health work. When we understand the biological status of the team, we can create a work environment that supports rather than hinders the body's ability to perform.
