Resilience has become a trauma response. I’d rather not be called resilient—give me peace instead - Dr Nicole DeKay

Andy Brown's Exploring Emotional Overdraft

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of Exploring Emotional Overdraft, Andy Brown is joined by Dr Nicole DeKay, a data scientist and industrial-organisational psychologist with a passion for workplace wellbeing. Together, they unpack the intersections of resilience, burnout, and emotional overdraft, exploring how systemic issues, workplace trauma, and individual habits shape our professional lives.

Nicole shares her journey from counselling in a lockdown facility to developing workplace trauma assessments and pioneering research on the absence of negatives in workplace wellbeing. Andy reflects on the origins of the emotional overdraft concept, the power of words like "burnout", and the challenge of building healthier habits.

This is a conversation filled with actionable insights, thought-provoking ideas, and practical advice for anyone navigating the complexities of modern work.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout vs. Tiredness:
  Nicole explains that burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it’s emotional exhaustion tied specifically to the workplace. Studies show a striking 87% correlation between burnout and depression, making it essential to address the root causes.
• The Trouble with Resilience:
  Resilience is a valuable quality but has been weaponised in the workplace. As Nicole says, "Resilience is meant for extraordinary situations, not daily chaos. If your workforce is constantly required to be resilient, the system is broken."
• Workplace Trauma and Wellbeing:
  Nicole adapted trauma questionnaires to create workplace-specific assessments, revealing that 25% of respondents qualified for PTSD related to their job. This highlights the need for systemic change, not just individual coping strategies.
• Changing Habits, Not Just Systems:
  Andy emphasises the importance of small, sustainable habit changes to reduce emotional overdraft. As Nicole adds, "Give yourself grace. Developing new habits is hard, and self-compassion is key to making lasting changes."
• The Power of Movement:
  Nicole’s simple change: Incorporate movement into your day. "A five-minute walk or stretching at your desk can help release built-up stress and improve overall wellbeing."

Quotes Worth Sharing:

• "Resilience has become a trauma response. I’d rather not be called resilient—give me peace instead." – Dr Nicole DeKay
• "Burnout isn’t just tiredness—it’s emotional exhaustion. And a depressed workforce is not an effective workforce." – Dr Nicole DeKay
• "We subsidise the success of our business at the cost of our mental and physical wellbeing—that’s what I call an emotional overdraft." – Andy Brown
• "Changing habits is simple, not easy. Be kind to yourself—relapse is part of the process." – Andy Brown

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Nicole’s website: humanalists.com
• Follow Nicole on LinkedIn: Nicole DeKay on LinkedIn
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Maslach Burnout Inventory

Connect with Us:

• Explore more episodes of Exploring Emotional Overdraft on emotionaloverdraft.com
• Take the free Emotional Overdraft self-assessment: Self-Assessment
• Follow Andy on LinkedIn: Andy Brown on LinkedIn