A small stop, a big benefit - writing as a tool for well-being at work
Guided writing is a proven and effective way to relieve the stress of rushing around.
In Finnish working life, there is one thing we talk about a lot, but don't really know how to solve: haste.
A recent ESENER study by the Institute of Occupational Health and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work shows that time pressure has become a significant occupational safety risk in Finland - in fact, the second most significant after repetitive movements of the hands and arms.
In a European comparison, Finnish workplaces report being busier and tighter than elsewhere in Europe. As many as 71% of Finnish workplaces consider time pressure to be a significant risk, compared with 43% in the EU as a whole. This says a lot: rushing has become a structural problem that we can no longer sweep under the carpet.
Teleworking: salvation or hidden burden?
Teleworking is much more common in Finland than elsewhere in Europe. More than 40% of Finnish workplaces report regular teleworking, compared to an EU average of only 23%.
Teleworking is often thought to reduce stress: it offers flexibility and the ability to regulate one's own work better than traditional office work.
But teleworking also has its drawbacks. It blurs the boundaries between work and leisure time, working days get longer without you noticing, and for many people it increases loneliness and feelings of isolation. Managing teleworking requires new skills to identify and manage these risks in time.
Busyness eats up space for thinking, creativity and connection
The rush is not just a practical problem. It directly affects the way we think, make decisions and interact with each other. Prolonged time pressure narrows perspectives, reduces creativity and hinders learning. When teams are constantly on overdrive, ideas are stifled before they have a chance to germinate, misunderstandings increase and tempers flare.
Excessive workload and accumulation of work contribute to a loss of control over work. This in turn increases stress, reduces well-being and can lead to exhaustion. Prolonged stress does not stop at the workplace, but affects all aspects of life: sleep quality deteriorates, irritability increases and concentration declines. Over time, stress can even develop into psychological symptoms and depression.
Work-life development experts know that stopping places are not a luxury - they are a necessity. Without them, work performance suffers, commitment declines and, in the long run, sickness absence and turnover increase.
"Prolonged time pressure narrows perspectives, reduces creativity and hinders learning."
Writing strengthens the work community
Guided writing is a proven and effective way to relieve the stress of rushing around. Writing helps to structure thoughts and feelings, identify your own needs and clarify the meaning of work. It requires no special skills - just an openness and a willingness to stop for a moment to be yourself.
In the coaching sessions, participants are given a safe space in which they are allowed to wonder and realise. They can first write their own thoughts in peace and then share them if they wish. This strengthens not only the individual's ability to cope, but also the interaction and trust of the work community. When words flow, bridges are built between people.
Literary therapy methods have a particular power in the prevention of exhaustion. They help to reconnect with one's emotions and reinforce the idea that everyone can make a difference in their own lives. This increases self-esteem and resilience - the ability to cope with difficult situations and recover from stress.
In addition, literacy therapy exercises support self-regulation and self-compassion. Group exercises increase a sense of belonging and create a space for shared experiences, reducing feelings of loneliness and strengthening community well-being.
An investment that pays for itself
Moments of pause are not a cost, but an investment. They support work capacity, prevent fatigue and increase productivity. Up to 46% of self-employed people feel that their ability to cope has a big impact on their work performance - but only 11% have sought help to cope. How much better would we get if there were more and lower-threshold places to stop and take a break?
Organisations should recognise these signals early: the earlier you invest in wellbeing, the less need for corrective measures such as sick leave or disability pensions later on.
If you or your organisation need a space to breathe, a chance to reconnect with your work and strengthen the power of your community, I'm here to help. Word Keeper's Writing for Growth coaching is a gentle and powerful way to pause, confront and grow - with words.
👉 Want to hear more? Contact us to book a time for a chat. Together, we can find ways to strengthen well-being and work capacity in your workplace.