You must’ve come across ‘a day in my life’ vlogs. Perhaps, engaged with them. You may have wished that you could follow that routine. Wake up at 7 in the morning. Wash your face in a bowl of ice-cold water. Then have your ‘nutritious’ protein-rich breakfast. Clock in nine hours at work. Go hit the gym for ‘self-growth’. Only to wrap the day up with a self-help book.  

This is the sort of content that has gone viral. Millions of users consume such content every day. These kinds of ‘day in my life’ videos on YouTube and Instagram propagate a specific lifestyle. A lifestyle where every person is busy being productive. The question arises: Is this the kind of life you’d desire? Can you actually be busy and productive all day, every day?    

Romanticising Hustle  

This author’s social media feed is no different. It seems as if ‘not interested’ is of no interest to the algorithm. The question then is- why shouldn’t it be? It is the age of ‘hustle’ culture after all. Youngsters are taught to bury themselves in work. Any desire for a day off is no less than blasphemy. This is especially seen among youngsters who are new joiners. Striving for work-life balance at this age may not be appreciated fully. People usually think of this to save for later. Something to aspire to later in life. As it is with people, tomorrow never comes.  

 

The romanticisation of the ‘hustle’ culture epitomises a capitalist economy. An economy where one’s identity is associated with one's ‘productivity’. People evaluate themselves by the amount of wealth they create. ‘I work 10 hours a day’ or ‘I make XYZ amount a year’, hence ‘I’ must be ‘good’.  Being focused on yourself is not considered self-serving. It is justified as the only way to reach the ‘top’. For those who are unable to do so, they must lack the skills. In Social Psychology, this is known as the fundamental attribution error. 

 

Describing Burnout 

As is the case with every flawed idea, it works until it doesn’t. There comes a point where life may not turn out as expected. What follows is burnout. It means a state of severe physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Burnout stems from chronic stress.  

 

Hustle culture promotes unrealistic goals. It does so by claiming one can achieve anything they want to. The only condition required is that they work hard enough. Therefore, it sets the stage for creating unrealistic goals. When such goals are unmet, it leads to disappointment. People often try to compensate through greater effort. The nature of the goal ensures that even greater efforts produce little result. It takes the form of a vicious cycle. Thereby adding even more stress.  

 

However, this cycle is not unbreakable. Setting realistic and achievable goals can help manage expectations and reduce the constant pressure to do more. Taking regular breaks during work, even if brief, can help restore energy and bring clarity to what truly matters. Learning to value rest alongside productivity is a crucial step in interrupting the burnout cycle. 

Gender Influences on Burnout 

Unsurprisingly, there are gender differences in burnout. Women are more likely than men to experience burnout. This is also due to them having to manage household chores alongside work. Interestingly, a recent study found ‘progressive’ women to have similar burnout levels as males. However, ‘traditional’ women had higher levels of burnout than men.  

 

When it comes to men, burnout manifests differently. While women are more forthcoming in describing burnout, men aren’t. Unfortunately, expressing emotions is still considered feminine. It defies the ideals of an ever-strong masculine figure. This may be owing to the norm of males being the ‘sole’ breadwinner. This has been supported by American data. 71% of Americans found it desirable for men to support their families financially. Many of these expectations are patriarchal in nature.  

 

Burnout in India 

Data on burnout in India is also equally alarming. McKinsey Health Institute (2023) reports that nearly half of the Indian workforce experiences burnout. The figures are highest globally. Some of the commonly reported symptoms of burnout are- 

1. Irritable mood. What felt like an easy task now has the potential to cause immense irritation. 

1. Sleep difficulties. These include difficulty in going to sleep. For some it can mean trouble staying asleep. Poor sleep quality, in turn, negatively impacts overall well-being.  

1. Emotional exhaustion. This becomes one of the striking features of burnout. People report feeling to a lesser extent than before. ‘Numbness’is a commonly reported symptom.  

1. Depression has been widely reported among people who are working.  

 

Burnout and Existential Dread 

Chronic stress leads to a considerable toll on one’s mental health. Not surprisingly, identity gets questioned. ‘What am I doing?’ or ‘Is this what I’ve become?’ ruminates. Since self-evaluation was measured by ‘productivity’, self-questioning becomes wonted. People may start to notice emptiness in other spheres of life. Lack of clear answers adds to their angst. Low mood becomes the norm. This gets reflected in the rates of depression. Indian data shows rates as high as 59%. 

 

Dealing with Burnout 

The consequences of burnout are real. Common symptoms include- 

1. Feeling exhausted nearly all the time 

1. Feeling difficulty in concentrating 

1. Finding yourself procrastinating, even on simple tasks 

1. Feeling irritable 

1. Observing changes in sleep patterns 

 

A question arises- how does one deal with it? Well, here are some tips- 

1. Take short breaks between work 

1. Establishing a boundary between work and personal life is important for Mental Health. 

1. Take care of your physical health. Go for short walks. Better, play some recreational sport. 

 

Another contributor to burnout is a lack of skills and hobbies outside of work. One fails to acknowledge life beyond work. In such cases, people can take inspiration from athletes. Athletes usually have their lives revolving around their sport. When performance is so important, burnout becomes a common phenomenon. This, in turn, affects their performance. How do they manage themselves? 

Lessons from Sports Psychology 

One of the commonly reported concerns of athletes is not knowing themselves beyond sports. Naturally, when performance takes a hit, anxiety transcends. Questions like ‘If not [sport] then what’ are common. Its solution?  Athletes are asked to develop identity beyond their sport. This is no easy task. It takes time and effort. Nonetheless, the impact is deeply therapeutic.  

 

Likewise, people need to focus on themselves beyond work. Developing hobbies and maintaining social connections are important. Developing a healthy social environment has a protective effect. Along with this, maintaining work-life balance is quintessential. It goes a long way towards fostering well-being. 

 

Burnout is real. It is disabling and distressing. It hinders our performance. It deteriorates our mental health. Dealing with burnout, therefore, becomes important for one's own well-being. Every psychological concern requires empathy for it to be explored. Being constantly evaluated makes vulnerability difficult. At iDare, our team of experts provides a safe space for you to better explore yourself. If any part of this article resonates with you, feel free to reach out to us. Together, we can strive for a better life. 

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