Two-thirds of workers suffer from job burnout

He job burnout It has become a widespread problem. Some studies indicate that two thirds of the workers They claim to suffer from it, which makes it a growing problem. This is explained by the American psychotherapist Shaina Siber, who analyzes this phenomenon and its solutions in his latest book. The call burnout It is a phenomenon recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a condition linked to prolonged work stress.

This syndrome is not limited to fatigue. Overwork and stress sustained over time can affect both mental and physical healthand are associated with problems such as depression, anxiety or cardiovascular diseases, in addition to a increased risk of having a stroke.

The term burnout It was coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. Today, the WHO describes it as a state of exhaustion, cynicism, distancing and loss of effectiveness at work.

Siber remembers that the problem goes beyond specific fatigue. “Burnout doesn’t just make us miserable; it makes us sick“he points out, while criticizing the idea that rest or self-care alone are enough to solve it.

“The truth is that We cannot depend solely on good vibes to overcome exhaustion. There aren’t enough green juices, yoga classes, or massages in the world to eradicate burnout with self-care. Even the restorative glow of vacation often fades before you finish unpacking,” explains Siber.

Science has proven that continued stress alters brain functioning. It activates the amygdala, related to fear, and reduces the activity of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision making.

The result is a feeling of being constantly alert, as if the body were functioning in survival mode. “Burnout isn’t just about tiredness; it’s about the erosion of meaning, connection, and agency in our lives,” Siber says.

Faced with this scenario, the specialist proposes a different approach. It is not about eliminating stress completely, something he considers unrealistic, but about learn to manage it without damaging yourself.

“I’m not asking people to deny or minimize these problems,” he explains, referring to factors such as work overload or lack of staff. “But Burnout is not something that can simply be eliminated when external circumstances change.“.

Change the way you deal with it

Among the tools it proposes, two therapeutic approaches stand out: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

The ACT introduces the concept of “radical acceptance“, which consists of learning to live with difficult experiences instead of avoiding them. This promotes psychological flexibility: being present, adapting and acting based on life goals. As he explains, this approach can even modify brain responsesreducing mental rumination and improving emotional balance.

For its part, CFT uses compassion as a tool to regulate the nervous system and reduce the weight of fear, promoting feelings of security and connection. Together, both therapies allow you to go “from survival mode to thriving mode.”

The program developed by Siber, Beyond Burnout Blueprintintegrates both approaches and proposes working from the root of the problem. The process with define what is important. That is, identify personal values ​​that serve as a guide.

From there, he proposes “welcome the unwanted“, learning to tolerate discomfort without blocking it. It also highlights the importance of internal language, reduce self-criticism and encourage more flexible dialogue. “Practice intense compassion It is essential to cultivate self-compassion, which mitigates burnout and promotes emotional healing,” he points out.

Among the proposed exercises, the “Identify inflexibility“, which helps detect rigid mental patterns that fuel burnout.

Beyond the individual

The problem, however, is not just personal. Burnout especially affects high-pressure sectors, such as health, education, right either technology. But, in reality, it can appear in any area.

For this reason, Siber insists that not everything depends on the person. It is also necessary to move towards healthier work environmentswith reasonable workloads and greater psychological security.

At the individual level, he proposes focusing on the resilience: “It’s not about trying harder to solve it, but about learn to cope with discomfort without losing sight of what really matters.