Workplace burnout alert: Fatigue and insomnia early warning signs, say experts
Experts suggest that fatigue, sleeplessness, and frequent illness are precursors to burnout caused by workplace stress, and people should seek help before it gets worse. The advice comes amidst the demise of a young Chartered Accountant (CA) allegedly due to work pressure in Pune.
Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26, died from "backbreaking workload" and "work stress" at Ernst & Young (EY). In a tragic letter to EY Chairman Rajiv Memani, her mother Anita Augustine wrote of her sorrow wherein she laments that noting that despite Perayil's four months of service at the firm, “no one from the office attended her funeral.”
Perayil's case is not an isolated one. Earlier this year, Satish Nandgaonkar, a senior journalist with Hindustan Times, suffered a cardiac arrest outside the office in Mumbai, allegedly after experiencing workplace humiliation just hours before.
Another tragic incident involved 25-year-old Saurabh Kumar Laddha, who worked at McKinsey & Company. He reportedly ended his life by jumping from the ninth floor of his Mumbai building, overwhelmed by the work pressure.
These cases are part of a growing list of individuals succumbing to the pressures of work.
Dr Suchismitha Rajamanya, Lead Consultant and Head of Internal Medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, revealed to IANS that nearly 6 to 10 patients visit the hospital each week, reporting stress and exhaustion.
"Burnout and exhaustion present noticeable symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, and frequent illnesses," Rajamanya said. She further explained that stress can also manifest in other ways, including feelings of hopelessness, irritability, emotional exhaustion, reduced motivation, absenteeism, diminished work performance, and a lack of interest in tasks. Concentration and memory issues may also arise.
“The key is to prevent oneself from reaching that critical point, and to recognize the need for help early on,” Rajamanya added.
A report by Great Place To Work India, an organization that assesses and recognizes workplace culture, highlighted that one in four employees finds it difficult to talk about mental health issues such as stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression. Burnout has emerged as a major concern, affecting 56% of employees.
Studies have also pointed to the detrimental health effects of workplace stress. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that high job strain and an imbalance between effort and reward may significantly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm condition.
Divya Mohindroo, Counselling Psychologist and Founder of Embrace Imperfections, emphasized the importance of balancing emotional and practical aspects of life.
“It’s essential to approach life practically and maintain a balance between emotions and reality,” Mohindroo told IANS. She also recommended daily steps to reduce stress, such as staying well-hydrated, eating nutritious food, and engaging in 45 minutes of exercise to boost mood and release feel-good hormones. A healthy sleep cycle is crucial, she added.
Experts further suggested stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and reaching out to family, friends, or professional counselors for support.
IANS