HCI Webinar Recap: Dealing with Workplace Stress and Burnout, with Dr. Ishan Shivanand

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Dr. Ishan Shivanand about dealing with workplace stress and burnout. See a summary of the conversation below. Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Jonathan and Dr. Ishan Shivanand discussed the importance of learning tools to cope with stress and maintain productivity in challenging times, with a focus on mental health burnout and stress in the workplace. They emphasized the role of resilience and meditation in withstanding chaos and continuing towards goals, and the need for proactive measures to prevent burnout, including resilience training and access to decompressing or meditative practices. The conversation also touched on the current economic climate and its impact on anxiety and stress levels, and the importance of self-care and taking responsibility for mental health.

Mental Health in High-Stress Environments

Jonathan and Dr. Ishan Shivanand discussed mental health burnout and stress in the workplace. Dr. Shivanand, a mental health researcher and professor, shared his expertise in working with high-stress environments and his evidence-based mental resilience meditation program. He emphasized the importance of learning to deal with stress and anxiety, rather than avoiding them, to prevent detrimental actions. The conversation also touched on the current economic climate and its impact on anxiety and stress levels.

Coping With Stress Through Resilience

Jonathan and Ishan discussed the importance of learning tools to cope with stress and maintain productivity in challenging times. Ishan emphasized the role of resilience and meditation in withstanding chaos and continuing towards goals. They also touched on the concept of awareness, including body, breath, thought, and emotional awareness, and how these can be developed through various protocols.

Meditation and Contemplation for Awareness

Ishan emphasized the importance of meditation and contemplation practices in daily life to improve awareness and response to thoughts. He suggested that these practices should be consistent, regardless of stress levels, and not just when severely stressed. Ishan also highlighted the need for non-judgmental awareness and the potential for increased resilience through consistent practice.

Preventing Job Burnout in High Stress Professions

Jonathan and Ishan discussed the high risk of job burnout in certain professions, particularly those with high stress levels such as healthcare workers and engineers. They highlighted the need for proactive measures to prevent burnout, including resilience training and access to decompressing or meditative practices. Ishan emphasized the importance of self-care and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their mental health, as policy and workplace measures may not be sufficient. They also discussed the economic cost of burnout and the benefits of investing in holistic wellness for both individuals and organizations.

Listen to the webinar here: