Vlog 288 - Burnout

Burnout. We use this word to describe so many states of despair and exhaustion. But what is 'burnout'? This vlog demonstrates how we move the discussion of burnout from an individual 'not managing' - to extreme and unsustainable expectations on us all. Strategies are presented to manage this 'Burnout Society.'

[@thomasvanhoey]

For me the work-life balance (here's another one of those terms) really came after the PhD. After my completion I was lucky enough to get a post-doc but with a 6 month gap that I could spend with my family and friends back home. Now, I didn't see that much of them (pandemic) but it gave me the time to sort of recover from the crazy ride that my PhD had been. Since starting my postdoc I have been much more able to compartmentalise time for work and the time for "not work" and that has kept me from feeling burnt out. I think. It's a working theory.

[@Niueniue88]

Thank you Tara. Once again,so amazing

[@Niueniue88]

Thank you Tara ☺️. Most helpful

[@SooziBaggs]

I'm not surprised that women experience more burnout than men, and I think it's probably down to responsibilities outside of paid work. The academic literature shows that women get fewer hours of leisure time per week than men and also that it is more fragmented than men's. Add to that, that women still carry the burden for domestic work and are typically the primary caregivers for children (and increasingly, parents). I can't remember the exact term, but there's something in the literature about the 'second shift' - e.g. women working at their paid work, then coming home to work their unpaid work. Of course, men are more involved in domestic work/life these days, but research still shows that when women get married their leisure time goes down whilst men's goes up, and that they do more housework while men do less. Burnout for women seems almost inevitable given the general demands of modern worklife and lack of opportunity to recharge.

[@kathyboschen6719]

Fabulous as always!

[@officeofgraduateresearchfl9343]

Thank you wonderful Kathy - fascinating research in this area. Biggest hug to you. txxx

[@070707SAM]

Insightful ways to address burnout... Interesting perspective that burnout is an environmental issue Please list the books you mention in your vblog.

[@jasminepersan2134]

Hey thanks for the vlog Tara how can I contact you I really need some advice from you if you don't mind

[@Heyu7her3]

Great point about wondering if burnout in men is called something else. Maybe it's masked by substance abuse? I wonder if the study that reported a gendered nature to burnout asked the study participants about external obligations and relationships. Women in heterosexual relationships. are still expected to do a lot of house work and child-rearing.

[@officeofgraduateresearchfl9343]

Heyu7her3 - that's a brilliant point. While I was recording this vlog yesterday morning, I was thinking about - LIVE ;) - the great book from Case and Deaton - Deaths of Despair (press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691190785/deaths-of-despair-and-the-future-of-capitalism). I was so moved by this book, so I think there is some alignment between the new literature on burnout and deaths of despair. Thank you for your brill comment. I'll do some deep thinking on this... txxx