Key takeaways
- Burnout is defined by the WHO as an occupational phenomenon from chronic workplace stress that has not been managed.
- Working 55 or more hours a week is associated with higher risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Small daily habits, such as breaks, boundaries and brief relaxation, help. So does changing the workload.
What burnout is
The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Its features are exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism toward the job, and reduced professional efficacy. It is not classed as a medical condition.[1] (source 1)
Long hours and health
A pooled analysis of 603,838 people found that working 55 or more hours a week was associated with a 33 percent higher risk of stroke and a 13 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease than working 35 to 40 hours.[2] (source 2) The study shows association, and the authors note other factors may contribute.
What helps
- Take a real lunch break, ideally away from your desk
- Set start and end times and keep to them
- Use a one-minute breathing exercise between tasks
- Stand, stretch and walk during the day
- Talk with your manager about workload and priorities, since individual coping cannot fix a structural problem
Common questions
How do I know if it is burnout or ordinary tiredness?
Burnout lasts and is accompanied by cynicism and a sense of ineffectiveness. Rest does not fully restore energy. A clinician can assess for depression or other causes.
Can workplaces help?
Yes. Changing workloads, control over tasks and support from managers all matter more than one-off wellness events.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. 28 May 2019. www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
- Kivimäki M, Jokela M, Nyberg ST, et al. Long working hours and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished data for 603,838 individuals. Lancet. 2015;386(10005):1739–1746. doi:10.3410/f.725736394.793512092