Last week the World Health Organization redefined burnout as a syndrome linked to chronic stress at work, "resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed."

This is a big deal for a few reasons.

First, because burnout will now be classified as a chronic condition, by the International Classification of Diseases, and unlike before, this new definition specifically ties burnout to the workplace, not general areas of life.

Second, the formal recognition of burnout legitimizes the imperative to better manage our workplace stress. This brings greater attention to this topic, and highlights the value of companies to build and maintain positive workplace culture while promoting a healthy work-life balance. Stress, a majority of which stems from the workplace, now has an even greater correlation to our overall health.

In today’s workplace culture, the new normal is the expectation to multi-task like a rockstar, to be productive not just within the blurred lines of 9-5, but 24/7, to put in a few hours on the weekend just so you're caught up on Monday morning, and casually respond to an email or text at 8:30 pm.

Greater productivity is not necessarily a bad thing, as we are now able to do more. In addition, stress is natural and going to happen no matter how perfect our job appears. In fact, low levels of sporadic stress are shown to sharpen your brain and enhance our ability to problem solve.

However, while our workplace landscape and expectations have shifted, the amount of stress stemming from the workplace has grown. Employees and leadership need for a new set of tools to manage this new landscape, and the growing stress levels to avoid burnout. Instead of digging deep in an outdated toolbox, let's rebranding of our workplace stress.

True, a typical rebrand often includes new packing, logos or marketing materials. So instead let’s look at our office habits: how we sit, what we eat, what thoughts our mind whispers to us, and even how we move through our day, symbolically and literally, and create a new look and feel for office habits.

Re-brand your workplace stress to release your potential for burnout.

Hungry? Instead of inhaling the month old candy lingering in the office kitchen, or downing a sugar-dossed coffee at 3:00 pm, snack on a piece of fruit, eat raw nuts.

Stuck? When tempted to aimlessly scroll Instagram, take a break from screen time, get outside, take a walk around the block or your office space.

Frustrated? If a colleague, a supervisor, or the progress of a project, or even all three are aggravating you, make movements.

Physical movements allow your body and mind to release stress. Think of this as clicking the refresh icon on your web browser, but instead, it refreshes for your mind.