India is currently facing a burnout epidemic. According to a 2023 survey by the McKinsey Health Institute, 59% of Indian respondents experienced symptoms of burnout – the highest rate globally, reported Mint. Another study by the UKG Workforce Institute found that nearly 78% of Indian employees suffer from job burnout, reported Economic Times. Alarmingly, 64% of employees indicated they would be willing to accept a reduction in pay for a lighter workload. There’s an urgent need for a better work-life balance.
Tanya Narang, who works at PhonePe, took to X to share her experience dealing with burnout. During a review meeting at work, Tanya had a breakdown after being overwhelmed by work pressure, daily traffic, loneliness, and family pressure.
“Burnouts are real,” she wrote.
I started crying and broke down unexpectedly in a review meeting at work, overwhelmed by work pressure, daily traffic, loneliness in the city, and family pressure about age and marriage. While social media shows the best moments, I wanted to share that burnouts are real.
— Tanya Narang (@azadanarkali) September 10, 2024
This prompted several other people on social media to share their experiences dealing with burnout.
People who have relocated to new cities for work, are unable to engage with their hobbies because of work pressure, and are unwilling to meet their loved ones because they are so tired at the end of the day – all responded to her post by sharing their side of the story.
After college most of us go through such a phase – when we join our first jobs in a new city.
Connect with your friends from college/school. If possible live with them (rather than someone unknown). If you can not live with them, meet them as often as you can.
Make new friends in…— abhinav sinha (@abhinav1sinha) September 10, 2024
OMG tell me about it. I have been dealing with my 82 years old mum’s (Brain Hemorrhagic Stroke) past 5-6years ,two families (mine & sis since she passed) to take care, full time job. My mum refuses for treatment now so seeing her die slowly. It overwhelms even though I have…
— Buie/Rakhee ਰਾਖੀ 🇺🇸|🇮🇳 (@BuieBedi12) September 10, 2024
I remember when i cried in the washroom at office for the first time, in office. Everyone had gone for lunch & i couldn’t spot even a single soul that could understand the situation. Feeling of helplessness is real, pressure is real.
Good work culture is a blessing in disguise.
— Sanskriti Gupta (@GuptaSanskritii) September 10, 2024
I can relate to that. The work pressure is increasing, people expecting a lot from you – while you’ve to deal with problems in your daily life and still you’ve to do everything alone. This feeling sometimes makes me left crying inside and I’ve multiple breakdowns.
— Nitin gupta (@nitingupta220) September 10, 2024
I remember crying in a review meeting. Despite being in a job I love, I was having a terrible year, work got hampered and my then boss suggested I take a sabbatical, instead of leaving. I did, not much changed, quit after a while. Still struggling but will power through!
— Kay Baride (@justkaybeingkay) September 10, 2024
Gone through this. No-one around u in corporate will console. U should HV a good friend or companion with whom you can explain such situations and whose shoulder would be available for you to cry. Living alone in big cities and other pressure as a woman really takes a toll on us.
— RohiNie.. Shiv (@rohinie_shiv) September 10, 2024
I impulsively signed up for a course just so that I could find the time and motivation to draw and animate for myself again. It has been one way to crawl out of burnout and anxiety. Nobody talks about burnout and yet it creeps up on so many of us.
— Ajitesh Bhattacharjee (@AjiteshBhattac5) September 11, 2024
Tuned in after a bit and saw this. Thanks for candid post! I feel you. Burnouts, the pressure to settle/achieve by certain age are so real, you almost wanna runaway, traffic feels like a much needed slowdown. It’s helped to cry, cut noise & reflect on what refills/exhausts. Tc ♥️
— Pooja Singh (@pjtimes2021) September 11, 2024
Reminds me of the dreadful phase I literally went thru. I think it’s high time at least the family understands what their kids undergo. My only suggestion is to just eat and sleep and keep a pet if you wish that’s real peace ✌️
— Aura Egg✨ (@Judith_utterly) September 10, 2024
honestly, I realised that I needed to rest, work on my mental health, and ended up in therapy, because I burned out and ended up crying in a 1-1 with my manager like October 2022, your body *will* tell you when it’s all got too much and too exhausting – take care of yourself 🫶🏼
— Emily Kate (@em_katexo) September 10, 2024
I feel you. Have been in similar situation. Try talking to senior for advice (work rltd) and for others just have a normal talk with someone you are close to (family, friends, anyone)
And just trust the process.— CA Arati Agarwal (@Weirdosee) September 10, 2024
India’s young professionals are in a crisis. We need to address this problem and find solutions for it. Companies in India can follow the example of nations like Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands which have implemented flexible work hours and shorter workweeks (4 to 5-day workweeks) to improve employee well-being.
Similarly, companies such as Microsoft Japan have tested 4-day workweeks, resulting in a 40% increase in productivity.
Encouraging employees to take regular breaks, engage in hobbies, and maintain a balanced work-life schedule can help mitigate burnout and create a more sustainable workforce.