The event industry is fast-paced, high-energy, and highly demanding, with long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to deliver successful events. Event professionals work tirelessly to create memorable experiences for their clients and attendees, often sacrificing their own mental health and well-being in the process.
According to a study conducted by the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, event management is one of the most stressful jobs in India, with event planners reporting high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. Globally, a recent survey by EventMB says; 63% of event professionals report high levels of stress, and 11% have been diagnosed with a mental health condition as a direct result of their work.
Long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to deliver successful events can take a toll on mental health and well-being, leading to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Typical mental health issues encountered by event professionals.
One of the biggest challenges for event managers and professionals is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With the demanding nature of the job, it can be difficult to switch off and unwind, leading to feelings of exhaustion, burnout, and even physical illness. To combat these issues, it's important to prioritize self-care and make time for activities outside of work that help promote mental well-being.
Anxiety and stress
Stress and anxiety might result from feeling under pressure to create an impeccable event. Event planners could be concerned about everything from last-minute alterations to logistical problems. Tight deadlines, a lack of resources, and demanding situations can make this stress worse.
Burnout
Event specialists frequently put in long shifts, weekends, and holidays. Burnout, which is characterized by emotional tiredness, depersonalization, and decreased personal achievement, may result from this. Workplace contentment, creativity, and productivity can all suffer from burnout.
Isolation
Event workers sometimes work alone or in small teams, which can cause loneliness. The need to work remotely or regularly travel can also make it challenging for them to interact with co-workers.
Depression
Depression can be brought on by a number of things, such as stress from the job, burnout, and personal problems.
Addiction to drugs
In the event business, substance abuse is a frequent problem. Alcohol or narcotics may be used by event workers to deal with stress, anxiety, and work pressure.
How to promote mental well-being and combat stress and fatigue.
Take breaks and prioritize rest:
It's important to take breaks throughout the day to give your mind and body a chance to recharge. Make sure to take your lunch break and step away from your desk or event site to rest and relax.
Practice mindfulness and meditation:
Taking just a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness or meditation can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided meditations and mindfulness exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime.
Exercise regularly:
Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental health. Make time for exercise outside of work, whether going for a walk, practicing yoga, or hitting the gym.
Seek support:
It's important to have a support system in place to help you cope with stress and mental health issues. Talk to friends, family, or colleagues, or seek professional support if needed.
Prioritize work-life balance:
Make sure to prioritize your personal life and make time for hobbies, friends, and family outside of work. This can help reduce stress and improve overall mental well-being.
What can we do as an organization?
A stressful, anxious, and exhausting work atmosphere has an adverse effect on your team's mental health, which in turn affects their productivity, creativity, and overall happiness with the organization. It's critical that the events sector prioritize mental health and foster a positive workplace environment. Here are some tactics that we employ to address the issue.
Flexible Work Schedules
Job-sharing, flexible schedules, and remote working facilities are some ways in which we give our team the means to maintain work-life balance and give them more control over their work schedules.
Supportive Culture
We encourage an environment that prioritizes work-life balance, fosters open communication, and believe in giving positive feedback and praise when it’s due. Making the team feel at ease and establishing trust with the organization helps them address issues openly and seek treatment when necessary.
Breaks & Holidays
We encourage our team to prioritize self-care by encouraging short pauses during events, offering compensatory days off following very tense shows and promoting vacation time.
Summary
As event professionals, it's important to prioritize mental health and well-being to ensure a long and fulfilling career in the industry. By taking steps to combat stress and fatigue and promote mental well-being, event managers and professionals can create successful events while also taking care of their own health and happiness.