BKTM5X Whole family asleep on a park bench in Venice, Italy
More and more people are suffering ‘burnout’ – but is this the fault of modern life or is physical, mental and spiritual exhaustion a far older condition?
According to one argument, our brains are simply ill evolved to deal with the modern working environment. The increasing emphasis on productivity – and the emotional need to prove one’s worth through one’s job – leaves workers in a permanent state of ‘fight or flight’. This state originally evolved to deal with acute danger. But if we face that kind of pressure day in, day out, we endure a steady surge of stress hormones – an onslaught that our bodies struggle to continually fight.
For many, moreover, the pressure does not end with work. Cities (and technological devices) are always buzzing with life, and this ‘24/7’ culture can
make it difficult to rest at any hour of the day or night. With no chance
to recharge our minds and bodies, our batteries are constantly running dangerously low.
I – Word Understanding
Burnout – physically, mentally and/or emotionally very tired
Fight or flight – reaction that people have to a dangerous situation, that makes them either stay and deal with it, or run away
Onslaught – a large quantity (of stress hormone) that is difficult to cope
II – Have Your Say
1. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed,emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Let’s discuss how the following factors could contribute to burnout:
* Work
* Technology
* Lifestyle
* Society
* Personality traits
2. Do you think stress and burnout is only a modern problem? What do you think was the situation in the past?
