The majority of young working Filipinos are experiencing burnout. According to a recent report by Deloitte Philippines, 70% of Filipino Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) and 63% of Filipino millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) said they were experiencing occupational burnout and cited “heavy workload demands” as the main reason.
Deloitte Philippines says the global average for burnout per country is 45%, an increase from 39% in 2019.
Meanwhile, a separate study conducted by research analytics firm Milieu Insight and Intellect, the largest and fastest-growing mental health tech company in Asia Pacific, revealed that 52% of employees in the Philippines reported feeling burned out from work at least a few times a month, compared to 49% in Singapore and Indonesia. The study said the “hustle culture” or “rise and grind mentality” as the main reason burnout was more prevalent in the Philippines than in other countries in the region.
Why do Filipinos work hard?
According to the Milieu and Intellect study, the top reasons employees in the Philippines work hard are to improve their lives and those of their loved ones (58%), to have a sense of accomplishment (53%), and to increase their income (50%).
What are the signs of burnout?
Burnout isn’t something that happens suddenly. It gradually sneaks up on people after prolonged high levels of stress. But there are signs and if one is wary enough, you can spot them.
According to Healthline, these signs include (1) forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, (2) diminished pride in your work, (3) losing sight of yourself and your goals, (4) difficulty maintaining relationships and being present with loved ones, (5) increased frustration and irritability with co-workers, (6) unexplained muscle tension, pain, fatigue, and (7) insomnia.
How do you deal with burnout?
While businesses are encouraged to provide their employees with mental health support which includes giving workers access to professional help, below are some practical strategies to help you manage feelings of burnout, according to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. of helpguide.org:
- Reach out to those closest to you, such as family and friends.
- Be more sociable with your co-workers to help buffer you from burnout.
- Limit your contact with negative people.
- Connect with a cause or a community group that is meaningful to you.
- Expand your network and build new relationships.
Occupational burnout must be taken seriously. If unrecognized and left untreated, an overworked brain and body can lead to anxiety, emotional distress, and other dire consequences.
