‘A serious issue’ More and more millennials appear to be experiencing burnout

"All of this impacts your quality of life."

More and more people appear to be experiencing burnout as searches for information on the condition continue to rise. Online searches for the term 'what is burnout' have had a 50 percent increase since the condition was recognised as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier this year.  Similarly, 'Millennial burnout' searches were virtually non-existent before December 2018, with the term reaching its peak in March of this year with 4,400 online searches on average. This is according to new research compiled by Perkbox and SEMrush, that shows that people are becoming increasingly concerned about the health condition. Officially defined as "chronic workplace stress," burnout refers to feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, mental distance or feelings of negativity, and reduced professional efficacy within a work context. Burnout tends to occur when a person feels a lack of control around the activities or resources in their workplace. This can include panic around schedules, assignments or the amount of work an employee is expected to take on. The condition is characterised by stress and exhaustion, but can also lead to insomnia, fatigue, and even depression. Although WHO recognises burnout in relation to workplace stress only, searches for the term in conjunction with other aspects of life, such as family and relationships, have also risen. Hannah Sims, product manager at Perkbox Medical, says that the searches prove that burnout needs to be given more attention. “Regardless of what shape or form we want the definition of 'burnout' to take - be this as a 'medical diagnosis' or just an 'occupational phenomenon', it’s important that we give it the attention it deserves," she says. "If your mind is frazzled like it is when you’re experiencing burnout, you’re missing out on opportunities, might not be able to deliver at work, or feel like yourself when meeting friends. "All this impacts your quality of life." Sims goes on to say that burnout is a "serious issue" and should be treated as such. If you're worried that you might be experiencing burnout syndrome or any other health related issue, always contact your GP.