Burnout Is the New Normal, and Jennifer Moss Is Here to Tell Us Why
In a world where most folks blame a bad coffee or a bad boss, we’ve suddenly turned burnout into an everyday fact. COVID‑19 didn’t just change how we work; it pushed our workplace stress to the front row.
Why We’re All Burning Out
Jennifer Moss, a seasoned speaker and workplace wellness champion, argues that it’s our own companies that are leaking fire. “We’re creating cultures that glorify overwork,” she says. And it’s those same cultures that end up letting everyone’s energy run low.
How to Stop This Crisis—Before We All Crash
Moss is the author of The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It, a quick‑read guide that urges businesses to hit the brakes before the whole office hits a roadblock.
Key Take‑aways from our chat with Reuters
- Don’t let “extra hours” be a badge of honor—it’s a red flag.
- Humor and honest talk about stress can save a lot of dead‑weight energy.
- Real recovery means setting boundaries, not just setting goals.
Take it from Moss and the experts: the pandemic didn’t just bring us to a new door. It opened a whole door to burnout that we’ve been trekking through the wrong way. It’s time to look at the mirror, admit the issue, and start turning the lights back on instead of letting the office burn out.
Q: You did some research about how people feel now. What did you find?
A Glimpse into the Second Wave of Covid‑19
It turned out that only two percent of folks felt their wellbeing was top‑notch. In fact, a staggering 89 percent reported that their professional lives were going downhill faster than a snowplow in a snowstorm. The expectation? People would be burnt‑out, clocking extra hours, and seeing their effectiveness evaporate.
But there was a twist: high levels of cynical dread.
Who knew everyone would feel as if the world had turned off their remote control? The feeling of being unable to influence outcomes is countable as an existential risk, not just a gripe. And that’s a dangerously heavy mood to carry.
Quick Snapshot of the Findings
- Wellbeing: 2 % rated it as “excellent”.
- Work Stress: 89 % said work was deteriorating.
- Work Hours: Many reported hiccuping into longer days.
- Cynicism: Feeling a severe loss of control is now the common buzzword.
Why It Matters
When people feel totally hands‑off from outcomes, morale takes a nosedive. It’s not just about emotions; a whole economy can hitch its ride on this wave of apathy. Doctors, HR, and tech folks alike should take a hard look—might be time to tweak work culture (or add an extra Wi‑Fi hotspot).
Q: How do you define burnout specifically?
Why the Office Never Gets Quiet: A Tale of Unchecked Stress
Ever feel like the workday’s a treadmill you can’t turn off? That persistent buzz is chronic workplace stress—left unmanaged, it can spiral into a real nightmare.
Spotting the Six Bad Boys of Burn‑Out
- Workloads That Won’t End – Think of a stack that never shrinks. Every day, it feels like the boss is pulling more paper out of the sky.
- No Control Creds – When you’re tossed decisions off a conveyor belt, you start feeling more like a passenger than the driver.
- Lacking the Sweet Reward – You hustle, but the pay‑check or the kudos are as scarce as a quiet corner in the office.
- Community? Oops Nope – Working alongside strangers whose only familiar thing is a morning coffee break.
- Unfairness Fever – When procedures or distribution don’t feel right, it’s a recipe for resentment.
- Mismatched Values and Skills – Your job feels like a career you’d cheat on, because it doesn’t play to what you’re good at or believe in.
HOME OFFICE HURDLES (Yes, the Report Says It’s Worse)
A recent survey from Singapore shows that folks stuck at their living‑room desks report higher stress levels than even front‑line workers. So yes, the office at home can be the most stressful place in the world—if you’re unlucky enough to have a “Hilton” floor plan.
Ready to Take the Stress Train Home?
Find ways to pivot—acknowledge the stress, talk to a supportive colleague, or at least send a meme that says, “I’ve got this.” If you’re laughing, you’re already moving a step away from the burnout blink.
Q: Companies know something serious is going on, so are they doing enough?
How Companies Are Turning Well‑Being Plans Into Employee Power Moves
Leaders are freaking out over the “great resignation.” To keep folks from hopping off the bandwagon, they’re piling on well‑being perks—yoga classes, mental‑health days, and corporate massages, to name a few.
The Shift to the Driver’s Seat
- Employees now have more say in how they balance work and life.
- Many firms are holding off on a full‑time office comeback, giving teams the chance to work from wherever they feel most comfortable.
- Remote flexibility feels like a win‑win: people stay, companies save on overhead, and the office drama is on pause.
Band‑Aid vs. Root Cause
Self‑care initiatives can feel like a Band‑Aid—quick relief for a deeper pitfall. If the real issue is about burnout or unrealistic expectations, then flipping the switch to “well‑being” alone won’t cut it. Leaders need to tackle the upstream problems:
- Ensuring workloads are realistic.
- Revamping hiring and onboarding to match culture.
- Focusing on growth pathways, not just “check‑the‑checklist” perks.
The Bottom Line
Employees are steering the ship now. That’s great. But unless the skipper (the boss) fixes the hull (actual workflows and company culture), the vessel will keep on rocking. So blend the self‑care tips with solid structural changes—and watch retention stats actually improve.
Q: What should companies be doing to prevent burnout?
Keeping Work Life in Balance: Overwork Is Not the Answer
Why a single day off isn’t enough
A quick break is great—think of it as a mini vacation! But if the root cause is the sheer volume of work, a calendar slash on the office door will only cover the tip of the iceberg. It’s like putting a band‑age on a broken heart; you still need the proper medical treatment.
Resetting productivity expectations
In a culture that glorifies constant hustle, people end up drifting towards burnout instead of productivity. Reducing the pressure can actually make the workforce more effective and healthier in the long run.
What companies should do
- Let employees decide how and when they return to the office.
- Pay them what they really deserve.
- Compensate for extra hours—no unpaid overtime penalty.
- Promote based on real achievements, not just tenure.
Fairness: The missing link
When young professionals feel like the ladder’s missing rungs, morale plummets. Providing a clear path to growth and equity in pay is essential to keep the next generation engaged and eager to contribute.
Bottom line: A well‑balanced workplace isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter, with fairness and respect at its core.
Q: What can individuals do to make sure they’re not running on empty?
How to Dodge Burn‑out Without Going Full Zombie
Organizations are on the hook to keep their teams from turning into mush, but guess what? The crew can do a lot of the heavy lifting too.
First off, let’s do a quick health‑check. Keep an eye on those red flags: when you feel drained, plain‑old bored, or start flipping your coffee cup because sarcasm sounds good. If those symptoms pop up a lot, you’re probably on the brink.
Time to Hit the Pause Button
- Short Breaks Every Few Hours – No, you’re not stuck at a gym. 5‑minute stretches, a quick walk, or just different scenery can reset your brain.
- Digital Detox – Give your phone a breather. No notifications, no social‑media scrolling. Let your eyes rest.
- Step Outside – Fresh air, a new view, the sun. It’s like giving your mind a pep talk from nature.
- Music Therapy – Put on your favorite tunes. Even if you’re not a musician, background music can help you focus and lift your mood.
Set Boundaries, Not Just Rules
We all love surprises, but constant email pinging can feel like a relentless drumbeat. Try these tactics:
- Define When You’re “On Call” – Let your coworkers know your office hours and stick to them.
- Manage Client Expectations – Share realistic timelines and keep the “omg it’s urgent” vibe on a short‑term playlist.
- Communicate Clearly – A quick note saying “I’m tackling this right now, will drop you a line later” keeps everyone on the same page.
Bottom line? Keep it balanced. By staying aware of when you’re slipping into the burnout zone, grabbing short breaks, letting the digital glare recede, and setting clear limits on email hustle, you can keep your job exciting, and your brain under control.
Q: Leaders get burned out too. How can they manage those feelings?
We’re All Feeling the Same—Let’s Be Bold About It
Imagine a world where every single person is trying to survive the same intense storm. That’s basically what we’re dealing with right now—a collective, shared crush on anxiety. It’s not just the “regular folks”; higher-ups are tripping over the same fears too.
Why This Is No Ordinary Chaos
- Everyone’s on the same shaky coaster.
- Fear knifes the usual “seriousness” mark.
- Social anxiety whispers you should stay silent.
What You Can Do—Because You’re More Than a Boss
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back: Self‑compassion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline. Treat your own headaches like you’d treat a muscle ache.
Show Up Transparently: Speak honestly about what’s on your mind. It builds trust faster than any caffeine boost.
Drop the Guard: Being vulnerable is the ultimate power move. It’s proof that you’re human, not a robot on a command line.
Remember this: You’re not a spectator in this arena. If you’re the one not catching your breath, you can’t keep your team breathing. If you’re tearing up during meetings, lead them in the tears. Leaders are people, too.
Wrap-Up: Lead by Example
Model the very behavior you expect from others. The workplace isn’t always a great place for sanity, so set the tone, not the alarm. Once you show that you’re okay dealing with the storm, everyone else will catch on faster than you can say “panic attack.”
Q: Have you dealt with burnout personally?
Getting Through the Rough Patch Like It’s a Day of Pizza
How I (and you) Made It Through the Chaos
I’ve been juggling a lot of things lately and honestly, it feels like every day is a marathon you’re running in flip‑flops and high‑heels at once. We all know the drill:
We have to give ourselves the space to not be as productive as we used to be. We’re exhausted, and nothing about this feels normal.
- Take a breather outside. Sit in the grass, breathe, and pretend you’re a bee buzzing from one flower to the next.
- Grab a book. Dive into fiction to escape the chaos for a while. You’ll thank yourself when you finish a novel with a “spoiler alert.”
- Walk your dog. Let nature do the button‑pushing for you—no, I don’t mean “go for a stroll,” I mean tap your pet’s paws to a symphony of leaf crunches.
Even though I was terrified of falling apart on my kids, I knew the only route that would keep me sane was to make a proper plan. And it worked: the stress starved away, the kids didn’t turn into mini‑terrorists.
Celebrate Your Survival
Go back to the year, look at all the crazy moments you survived, and give yourself the big “Pill‑Pill!” of a self‑applause. That is how I get my day finished— “I made it.”
Why the Breakdown Happens
Data’s telling us we’re all on the hook for terrible stress. Nearly 70% of employees say 2021 (later 2023 or 2024, if you’re reading this) has been the most chaotic work year. Employers are now adding extra mental health support because the toll is real and the good vibes are dwindling.
