How the Way We Work Is Quietly Shaping Our Wellbeing

Written by Plumm Editor | 05-Nov-2025 10:04:05

If you’ve ever ended a workday wondering why you feel so drained, even when nothing dramatic happened, you’re not imagining it.

The way we work today, with endless notifications, packed calendars, and constant urgency, is quietly shaping our wellbeing.

Why It’s Not Just About Boundaries

We’re often told to “set better boundaries.” But when the system encourages urgency and rewards always-on behaviour, even the strongest boundaries can feel impossible to hold. Research shows that burnout is less about individual weakness and more about structural stress: clunky processes, too many meetings, and unclear priorities all add up.

According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index (2025) and the CIPD Good Work Index (2024), employees spend over half of their week in communication and meetings, while low autonomy and lack of control remain key predictors of burnout.

Instead of trying to power through, start noticing the patterns around you. Do you get interrupted every ten minutes? Do emails creep into your evenings? Recognising these triggers helps you respond, not just react.

What You Can Do (Even If You’re Not in Charge)

1. Simplify the noise: Turn off unnecessary notifications and schedule time for deep focus.

2. Claim recovery moments: Add five-minute pauses between meetings. Step away from your desk, stretch, or breathe. Small breaks help reset your attention.

3. Start small conversations: Suggest a “no-meeting block” with your team or ask, “Could this update be async?” Tiny system tweaks can have a big impact.

4. Connect with peers: Support each other in protecting calm and focus, collective wellbeing is more powerful than going it alone.

The Science Behind It

Studies show that our wellbeing depends as much on how work is designed as on what we do. When demands constantly exceed our resources, stress accumulates. But when we have autonomy and support, engagement flows more easily and performance improves.

Research from the Microsoft Work Trend Index (2025) and CIPD Good Work Index (2024) confirms that meeting overload, email fatigue, and low job control are top predictors of burnout, far more than personal resilience or motivation.

Key Takeaways:

Notice what part of your workday drains you most, and take one small action to make it lighter, such as deleting a recurring meeting, asking for clearer priorities, or protecting 15 minutes of quiet each morning. Remember, wellbeing isn’t about fixing yourself but designing work that helps you thrive.

Conclusion

At Plumm, we believe every individual deserves the chance to thrive, not just survive. If you’d like to explore how our wellbeing tools and resources can support your organisation’s mental health strategy.

Ready to simplify people management, optimise performance, and take better care of your team? To experience the impact of our comprehensive approach first-hand, book a demo now!

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