Why so much to carry?

From mental to emotional load: understand what weighs on us and explore ways to lighten it.

Psychosocial risks & quality of work life · Social innovation

The concept of mental load emerged in the early 1980s in research on gender inequality. Popularised more recently by a comic, it is now everyday language for everything that occupies our minds while others overlook the services provided by a human “external hard drive”.

We then began discussing contraceptive, emotional, relational and ecological loads. What does this proliferation of burdens tell us about mental health and the need to lighten schedules, minds and relationships?

Part 1 · Why so much discussion of mental load?

It began with the other side of family responsibilities
When mental load gives rise to other kinds of load

Part 2 · What makes these burdens so difficult?

Invisibility and continuous demands
How intrusive thoughts work
Responsibility and guilt
Personal and professional loads

Part 3 · Make “glue work” a source of value and recognition

Make the load visible and negotiate how it is shared
The value created by invisible responsibilities
Move from burden to asset in companies and in our lives

A talk tailored to your context

Let’s discuss your challenges and audience.

Let’s talk