Beyond burnout: Is the 'hyper-nervous society' silently draining your team?

The numbers are in, and they paint a stark picture. A recent report from the Dutch Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) warns that we are living in a "hyper-nervous society." The relentless pressure to perform, the constant acceleration, and a culture of individualism are seriously threatening our collective well-being. With nearly half of all adults having experienced a mental health condition and employees increasingly dropping out with burnout, the cost to society is a staggering €18 billion per year.

As leaders, we see this reflected in our own workplaces. The expectation for instant replies, back-to-back virtual meetings, and the blurring lines between work and home life are taking their toll. We've tried to patch the problem with mindfulness apps and resilience training. But, as the RVS rightly points out, this is like mopping the floor with the tap wide open. We are placing the burden of a systemic problem on the shoulders of the individual.

The real issue isn't a lack of individual resilience; it's a lack of genuine human connection.

The great disconnect: From coworkers to colleagues

Somewhere along the way, we separated the 'worker' from the 'person'. We've optimized for productivity but forgotten that teams are living ecosystems, not machines. When friction, miscommunication, and a lack of psychological safety become the norm, collaboration falters. Trust erodes, innovation stalls, and your best people start heading for the door.

Poor collaboration isn’t just a part of the job; it’s a symptom of a deeper issue. The antidote isn't another productivity hack. It's creating intentional space for what the RVS calls "empty time": moments for reflection, creativity, and, most importantly, real contact.

Therapy for Teams: Building a culture of connection

At Nelson, we believe that the most powerful performance enhancer is human connection. Inspired by the ultimate unifier, Nelson Mandela, we facilitate transformative experiences that move teams from exhaustion to momentum and from burnout to breakthrough.

Our workshops are designed to tackle the root causes of team dysfunction, not just the symptoms. We create a space where teams can:

• Build Psychological Safety: Through workshops like "EQ and Trust" and "Team Norms for Healthy Disagreement," we help teams establish ground rules for open, honest, and respectful communication.

• Foster Genuine Bonds: Activities like "Building Connection with Your Team" and "Life Paths" go beyond superficial icebreakers, allowing team members to connect on a deeper, more human level.

• Align on Shared Values: In our "Team Values" workshop, we guide teams to define not just what they do, but how they want to be together, turning abstract values into concrete, daily behaviors.

This isn't about ineffective teambuilding exercises. This is about doing the real work to turn invisible friction into visible progress, building strong connections instead of silos, and putting the well-being of your people first.

It's time to hit the brakes

Calming the hyper-nervous society isn't a luxury; it's essential for our future. As leaders, we have the power to initiate this change within our own organizations. By intentionally fostering a culture of connection and psychological safety, we can build teams that are not only more productive and innovative but also healthier, happier, and more resilient.

Let's build something great, together.

Explore how Nelson Workshops can help your team thrive.