Stress Isn’t A Flex: The Unexpected Consequences Of Busy Bragging

• Boasting about busyness and stress can breed resentment among colleagues and is perceived as a sign of lower competence, diminishing team dynamics and individual well-being.
• The phenomenon is driven by societal values that emphasize perpetual productivity and stress as indicators of dedication and importance, fueled by “hustle culture.”
• Encouraging work-life balance, redefining productivity metrics, and promoting open conversations about mental health are essential for creating a sustainable and supportive work environment.

In a society that increasingly values productivity and efficiency, workers often fall into the trap of “busy bragging” and “stress bragging.” 

It turns out, though, that being stressed is not a flex — and advertising it backfires in a big way.

A study from the University of Georgia (UGA) showed that workers who frequently boasted about being overwhelmed with work or constantly busy can breed resentment among colleagues. 

Additionally, this behavior is often perceived as a sign of lower competence in one’s professional role.

In the UGA initial survey involving 360 participants, individuals assessed hypothetical statements made by imaginary coworkers who had just returned from a conference. The participants evaluated the likability, competence, and the likelihood of assisting these imaginary coworkers in a work context.

In this survey, the fake stress-bragging colleague described the conference as “just one more thing on my full plate. And I was already stressed to the max…you have no idea the stress that I am under.”

Participants rated that individual as significantly less likable and less competent compared to someone who mentioned that work had been stressful or merely discussed the positive aspects of the conference. 

The participants also indicated a lower willingness to assist the complaining coworker in the event that they were overwhelmed with work.

The participants also indicated a lower willingness to assist the complaining coworker in the event that they were overwhelmed with work.

These unhelpful bragging behaviors not only perpetuate a harmful work culture but also diminish individual well-being and overall productivity. 

Here’s why we need to throw these practices out and focus on healthier workplace dynamics:

Background Context: Understanding the Culture of Overwork

The phenomenon of “busy bragging” and “stress bragging” can be traced back to cultural shifts in how work is perceived. The Protestant work ethic, popularized during the Industrial Revolution, glorified hard work, diligence, and a time-consuming approach to labor. 

This was further cemented by the rise of corporate capitalism, where long hours and visible stress became proxies for dedication and value.

In today’s hyper-connected and competitive landscape, technology enables constant connectivity, blurring the lines between work and personal life. This fuels a culture where being perpetually busy and visibly stressed is seen not just as normal, but as a badge of honor.

As such, “hustle culture” has become increasingly popular in recent years — which is where the zoomer-invented term “the grind never stops” originated from. 

Hustle culture exerts societal pressure to continually perform at peak levels, driving individuals to work harder, faster, and longer solely to maximize financial gain. 

This glorification of relentless work and perpetual productivity often leads to negative mental and physical health outcomes.

This glorification of relentless work and perpetual productivity often leads to negative mental and physical health outcomes. In this mindset, achieving maximum productivity eclipses the need for any leisure or rest.

Why Do We Brag About Busyness and Stress?

Most everyone knows that being stressed is bad for your health, physically and mentally, so why is it compelling to share feeling overwhelmed as if it’s a good thing? 

1. Cultural Capital: Both “busy bragging” and “stress bragging” can function as forms of social currency. By highlighting one’s workload and stress levels, individuals communicate their importance and indispensability within their professional circles.

2. Validation and Approval: Workers often seek validation from peers and superiors. By emphasizing how busy and stressed they are, employees believe they are demonstrating their commitment and worthiness for recognition, promotion, and other opportunities.
3. Fear of Being Perceived as Unproductive: In a competitive environment, the fear of being seen as underutilized or dispensable can drive individuals to exaggerate their busyness and stress.
4. Finding connections: When you might not know what else to talk about with coworkers, falling back on what might be a perceived “common ground” could feel like a point of connection with peers.

The Harms of Busy and Stress Bragging

Constantly bragging about busyness and stress can lead to increased anxiety, burnout, and overall diminished mental health. This has long-term repercussions not just for the individual but also for team dynamics and organizational productivity.

When “busy bragging” and “stress bragging” become the norm, they create a work environment where overworking is expected and rewarded. This discourages healthy work-life balance practices and perpetuates a cycle of overwork and stress.

What’s more is that being constantly busy does not equate to being productive. The myth of multitasking has been debunked, showing that spreading oneself too thin can lead to mistakes, decreased creativity, and ultimately lower-quality outputs.

A More Nuanced Approach: Promoting Healthy Work Practices

If you find yourself tempted to brag about being busy, or notice your team starting to boast about how stressed they are, it’s time to take action.

1. Redefine Success and Productivity: Organizations and leaders need to redefine what it means to be successful and productive. This involves valuing efficiency, creativity, and the quality of work over sheer quantity and hours worked.
2. Champion Work-Life Balance: Employers can implement policies that encourage employees to take breaks, use their vacation days, and disconnect after work hours. Leading by example, managers and executives should demonstrate their commitment to work-life balance.
3. Promote Open Conversations about Mental Health: Normalize discussions around mental health and stress. This can be facilitated through regular check-ins, providing access to mental health resources, and creating a supportive environment where employees feel safe to express their struggles without fear of judgment or repercussion.
4. Encourage Focus and Deep Work: Instead of valuing constant busyness, organizations should promote periods of deep work — uninterrupted time where employees can focus on complex tasks. This fosters creativity, efficiency, and higher-quality results.

Building a Sustainable Work Culture

Transforming a culture entrenched in “busy bragging” and “stress bragging” requires concerted effort from all levels within an organization. It begins with acknowledging that our current metrics for success are flawed and unsustainable. 

By promoting values such as efficiency, quality, creativity, and mental health, we can create a workplace where individuals thrive and productivity is truly optimized. In doing so, we pave the way for a more sustainable, healthy, and fulfilling work environment for everyone.

Jessica Rodell, lead author of the study and a professor of management in UGA’s Terry College of Business said, “If you genuinely feel stressed, it’s OK to find the right confidant to share with and talk about it. But be mindful that it is not a badge of honor to be bragged about — that will backfire.”