Ask Onix
Rising fatigue and burnout reach alarming levels
Over a third of adults report persistent fatigue, while burnout diagnoses hit record highs, prompting experts to examine the root causes and potential remedies for this growing crisis.
Exhaustion vs. burnout: key distinctions
Historian and executive coach Anna Katharina Schaffner explains that while exhaustion has troubled humans since ancient times-evidenced in records from early Chinese societies-burnout represents a more severe, occupation-specific syndrome.
Defined by the World Health Organization, burnout combines depleted energy, reduced professional efficacy, and depersonalization-a cynical detachment from colleagues or employers. Schaffner notes that burnout can be debilitating, sometimes forcing individuals to abandon careers and requiring years for recovery.
Why burnout is spreading globally
Research confirms burnout is escalating across industries, driven by increasingly precarious and competitive work environments. Schaffner highlights modern society's overemphasis on work as a source of identity, purpose, and self-worth, far beyond its traditional role as a means of income and status.
Technology further blurs boundaries between professional and personal life, making it difficult for workers to disconnect. Without strict discipline, emails and messages dominate thoughts around the clock, amplifying stress.
Top triggers behind workplace burnout
Studies identify six primary causes: unmanageable workloads, lack of autonomy, insufficient recognition, fractured workplace communities, value conflicts, and perceived unfairness. Schaffner emphasizes that unfair treatment-particularly the absence of appreciation-doubles burnout risk.
"A lack of recognition inflicts deep social pain. It's disheartening because gratitude costs nothing, yet many managers fail to offer it."
Anna Katharina Schaffner, cultural historian and executive coach
How personal mindsets worsen stress
Perfectionism strongly correlates with burnout. Unrealistic expectations and harsh self-criticism drain mental energy. Schaffner describes an "inner critic"-a relentless internal voice that undermines confidence and fuels exhaustion.
Evidence-based strategies to combat burnout
Schaffner advocates for self-awareness as the first step: understanding personal limits, stressors, and the distinction between controllable and uncontrollable factors. She incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in her coaching, teaching clients to observe negative thoughts without engaging them.
Instead of battling emotions like anger or fear, ACT encourages detachment. For example, reframing "I'm furious about this" to "I notice I'm feeling angry" creates psychological distance, reducing emotional strain.
"Our minds are like sushi conveyor belts-thoughts constantly pass by. We don't have to consume every one. Learning to let unhelpful thoughts go is liberating."
Anna Katharina Schaffner
Ancient wisdom meets modern therapy
Stoic philosophy offers timeless tools for managing expectations. Schaffner cites Marcus Aurelius: "Only a madman looks for figs in winter." She explains that unrealistic demands-such as expecting perpetual happiness-lead to disappointment and "dirty pain": the shame of experiencing natural emotional fluctuations.
Accepting that energy levels ebb and flow prevents additional mental burden. Stoicism's pragmatic approach aligns with ACT, helping individuals navigate life's inevitable ups and downs.
Reclaiming balance beyond work
When work dominates identity, stepping away can feel terrifying. Schaffner warns that overinvestment in professional roles often leaves other life areas barren. Rebuilding meaning outside work is critical.
She recommends hobbies free from competition or productivity pressures-activities purely for joy and relaxation. These "non-instrumental" pursuits restore equilibrium and provide sanctuary from workplace stress.
Further reading
Anna Katharina Schaffner's Exhausted: An A-Z for the Weary will be published on 18 January 2024 by Profile Books. David Robson, author of The Expectation Effect, contributed to this report.
