The Gen-X Burnout Crisis: Understanding and Addressing the Impact

As we continue to explore the theme of “Your Voice. Your Choice.” during Women’s Health Week, I feel it’s crucial to delve deeper into the issue of burnout among Gen-X women.

Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen-X women are often juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, leading to a significant risk of burnout. It’s a pervasive issue affecting many of these women today.

Burnout rates for women in Australia and New Zealand have been a growing concern, especially in recent years. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and research institutions like Auckland University of Technology and Health Roundtable, 46% of women report experiencing and feeling burn out.

While the Australian and New Zealand governments are implementing changes to regulations around employee psycho-social wellbeing or looking at systemic changes to support professionals, the continuing rise in burnout is alarming and highlights the need for more attention, awareness and interventions.

More Than A Buzzword

Burnout is not just a buzzword; it’s a well-documented phenomenon with significant health implications. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decrease in personal accomplishment. Research has shown that burnout can lead to serious health issues, including depression, anxiety, and even cardiovascular diseases.

My Story

In my 30’s I had a great corporate career, a beautiful family, a supportive partner, and a fantastic social life. Then it happened, slowly, without warning or explanation; I burnt out. I had all the classic signs.  I experienced concentration issues, low mood, low self-esteem, and had lost interest in things that once brought me joy. Despite being next level exhausted I couldn’t sleep at night and to get through the day I had to take naps – I was wired and tired.  My eating habits changed, my digestion and metabolism were terrible and I piled on weight even though I tried to exercise regularly.  Emotionally I was irritable, detached, and pessimistic.  I felt constantly drained and overwhelmed to the point that I had anxiety attacks that felt like a heart attack and twice went to emergency because of chest, arm and jaw pain. On top of that I had increasingly high blood pressure and my body stopped producing key hormones like DHEA and cortisol and I had to be medicated.   Long story short, my body eventually shut down on me, and I was so sick that I couldn’t work for a year.

It’s not all bad for me.  My burnout has proved to be one of life’s greatest gifts. As I started to advocate for myself and search for answers, my interest and love of integrated medicine grew, leading me to study nutritional and lifestyle medicine. I not only got well and went back to work, but I also retrained so I could help others experiencing the same issues.

Everyone’s Talking About Burnout

Prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington have spoken out about the dangers of burnout.

Oprah once said, “The only way to avoid burnout is to keep yourself fuelled with passion and purpose”. It’s a great sentiment but if your body is over worked and under nourished, no amount of passion and purpose will keep you from toppling over.

Arianna Huffington, who experienced a severe burnout episode herself, emphasised, “Give up the delusion that burnout is the inevitable cost of success”.  I think we need to reassess what success really means for us, based on our own values and capabilities rather than that of our organisation, family expectations or society in general.

Impacts on Families, Communities, and Workplaces

Burnout doesn’t just affect us.  It impacts those we love and care about, our work and our communities.

Families

Burnout can have a profound impact on family dynamics. Mothers experiencing burnout may struggle with emotional exhaustion, leading to decreased engagement with their children and partners. This can result in strained relationships and a lack of emotional support within the family unit.

Workplaces

The workplace is another area where the effects of burnout are keenly felt. Burnout can lead to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased turnover. It also stifles creativity and innovation, making it harder for organisations to thrive in a competitive environment.

Communities

Burnout doesn’t just affect individuals; it can ripple through entire communities. When community service professionals experience burnout, their ability to provide essential services is compromised. This can lead to a decline in the quality of support available to vulnerable populations, exacerbating social issues.

Addressing Burnout

To combat burnout, it’s essential to implement strategies that promote well-being and resilience. Here are some recommendations:

• Prioritise Self-Care: Looking after yourself isn’t an indulgence and it starts with the basics.  Eat nourishing food; prioritise rest, downtime and sleep; and find time to regularly move your body.  Meditation, mindfulness, breath work and other mind-body practices are also helpful.

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent overwork.  Set boundaries around your time and your priorities, not the expectations of others.

• Seek Support: Build a support network of friends, family, and colleagues who can provide emotional and practical assistance.

• Talk About It: Don’t keep what’s going on for you bottled up inside.  Masking and pretending everything is fine only exacerbates the problem.  Talk with friends, family, colleagues, and trusted health professionals.

• Advocate for Change: Push for organisational changes that address the root causes of burnout, such as excessive workloads, crazy hours and lack of recognition.

Get Help

If you’re feeling the effects of burnout, know that you’re not alone. It might be common, but it should never be normal.

As a nutritional medicine practitioner and lifestyle coach, I am here to support you in finding balance and reclaiming your well-being. Having experience burnout myself, I know what it takes to get back to feeling like you again.

Book an appointment with me or join one of my health and well-being programs to start your journey towards a healthier, happier you.