Work burnout is now an official medical diagnosis
Work comes first. Toughen up. Buckle down.
We’ve been told this for so long. But the physical and mental toll of the get-it-done-at-all-costs mindset is now becoming more clear. The World Health Organization just named work burnout an official medical diagnosis: “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
The WHO lists three dimensions of work burnout:
feeling physical depleted or exhausted
feeling increasing distant from your job, or negative or cynical about it
finding it much harder to get things done
If this sounds common, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. And I promise you, there are ways to climb out of it — or avoid it entirely:
Exercise. Sleep. Meaningful hobbies. Meditation. Rest breaks. Turning off your devices. Examining your life and career to connect to what matters most to you.
We all need help sometimes. Don’t be afraid to ask.