The Overwhelm Is Real
And Businesses Can Be Part of the Solution
In today's hyper-connected world, overwhelm isn’t simply a buzzword-it’s a workplace epidemic. From overflowing inboxes and blurred work-life boundaries to economic pressures, people across the UK are feeling the strain-and businesses are feeling the impact.
What Does Overwhelm Mean - And How Serious Is It?
Overwhelm often manifests as:
Persistent stress or burnout
Dropping motivation and quiet disengagement
Emotional fatigue, reduced focus or feeling constantly "on edge"
These are not isolated feelings - they are structural issues modern organisations must acknowledge.
A UK Snapshot: The Statistics Speak
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of UK adults report feeling so stressed at some point in the past year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Women (81%) and young people (83%) are especially affected. PrioryMental Health Foundation
The Burnout Report 2025 finds that 34% of UK workers experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress "always" or "often" over the past year - and only 32% say their workplace has a plan in place to spot chronic stress and prevent burnout.
Work-related stress, depression and anxiety now account for around 17.1 million working days lost annually - making up 50% of all work-related ill health cases.
Every month, 79% of UK workers experience workplace stress; for many, it lasts an average of 21.6 lost workdays per case.
The “always-on culture” isn’t helping. Nearly 47% of UK employees are demanding digital silence - periods free from notifications - to focus better and preserve mental well-being.
Terms like "quiet cracking" are emerging to describe people who remain in their roles while silently disengaging - slowly eroding morale and productivity.
Why Overwhelm Matters for Organisations
Burnout is expensive. With millions of workdays lost and rising stress levels, the financial and human costs are unsustainable.
Employee retention is at risk. Overwhelmed employees are more likely to disengage, disengage quietly and even leave.
Innovation suffers. Creativity and strategic thinking require mental space - not burnout.
What Businesses Can Do (and Should Do)
1. Talk About It
Make overwhelm a topic that’s safe to discuss. When leaders share their own struggles or strategies, it models psychological safety across teams.
2. Prioritise Over Busyness
Train managers to help teams distinguish between the urgent, the important and what can wait. Clarity reduces overwhelm.
3. Embed Rest
Introduce well-being rituals: micro-breaks, digital downtime, meeting-free periods or even protected “rest days.”
4. Redesign Work for Resilience
Consider flexible hours, compressed workweeks or access to digital silence periods - especially for creative or deep focus roles.
5. Introduce Coaching Support
Coaching helps people cultivate resilience, set boundaries and find clarity amid chaos. It transforms overwhelm into empowerment.
6. Celebrate Humanity, Not Just Productivity
Recognise small wins and progress - not only deliverables. A culture of appreciation shifts the narrative from exhaustion to encouragement.
The Moco Coaching Perspective
Overwhelm may be widespread - but it’s not inevitable. Organisations that prioritise psychological safety, real rest and human connection will unlock long-term motivation, creativity and loyalty.
At Moco Coaching, we help leaders do this - in practical, purposeful and people-centered ways. Because when overwhelm gives way to empowerment, everyone thrives.