Concerns about work overload among young people.

Quynh Nhu (born in 2001, an office worker residing in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) shared that there was a time when she cried while working because of exhaustion. "My body was always aching, and I was irritable with everything around me for no reason," Quynh Nhu recounted about the period when she experienced burnout due to work pressure.

Common condition among young people

Quynh Nhu revealed that she experienced burnout while juggling three things simultaneously: working on a master's project, handling countless unnamed tasks at work, and studying Korean. Everything was a mess, despite her attempts at different approaches. "Everything was chaotic, and I didn't know how to handle it, nor could I share it with anyone. I completely isolated myself," Quynh Nhu confided. The breaking point was when she could only cry in utter helplessness. She questioned herself: Was she taking on too much, or simply not good enough to manage everything?

Participating in extracurricular activities also helps relieve stress after work.

For Hai Quynh (born in 1994, in charge of growth at a technology company in Hanoi ), burnout came in a more subtle way. She realized she had become "lazy"—especially lazy in communicating. "Whenever I experience burnout, I usually hide at home, not wanting to see anyone. I also lose interest in studying, easily lose focus, and become less calm in the face of normal situations," she shared. At times, she felt disappointed: "Why am I so incompetent? Why do I keep making the wrong choices?" What exhausted her most was the feeling of not being able to share her feelings with anyone.

Burnout is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an "occupational phenomenon," not a medical condition or mental health disorder. It is classified as a syndrome – a collection of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms arising from a specific cause, usually prolonged stress and excessive pressure. Unlike stress, which is often readily apparent, burnout occurs insidiously, making it easy for those affected to mistake or overlook warning signs.

“To prevent burnout, it is necessary to build strong inner strength through three pillars: physical strength (balanced diet, sleep, lifestyle, and exercise); intellectual strength (maintaining a habit of learning, reading, and developing critical thinking); and mental strength (cultivating optimism, willpower, and emotional balance),” shared Dr. Pham Thi Thuy.

Untangle the knot

According to Dr. Pham Thi Thuy (lecturer at the Regional Political Academy II), although there hasn't been a large-scale survey, through the courses and community programs she has participated in, approximately 60%-70% of individuals feel they are experiencing burnout due to work pressure. This phenomenon is not only occurring among working adults but also among students – those who are simultaneously studying and working. Dr. Pham Thi Thuy points out three main reasons for this burnout. Firstly, societal development brings many opportunities but also forces individuals to work more and rest less. Secondly, global changes and continuous transformations in Vietnam, such as mergers, business dissolutions, and post-Covid-19 economic difficulties, are causing many people to worry about the future. Thirdly, the overwhelming presence on digital platforms causes FOMO (fear of missing out), leaving many people mentally exhausted from receiving too much information, even without necessarily being overworked.

Regarding solutions, according to Dr. Pham Thi Thuy, many organizations have begun to pay attention to the mental health of their employees through activities such as psychological counseling, skills training, or community programs and internal coaching. “These are useful, timely activities that provide practical support for employees,” Dr. Pham Thi Thuy emphasized. Dr. Pham Thi Thuy advised maintaining a balance between work and leisure, between the amount of information received and the ability to process it, and between reason and emotion. Dr. Pham Thi Thuy stressed: “Each person needs to cultivate effective time management skills and always maintain a clear purpose and meaning in life, so as not to fall into a state of confusion and disorientation.”

From a personal perspective, Hai Quynh shared that writing every day helps her release emotions, while reading helps stimulate positive thoughts and build a healthier life. "You have to learn to take care of yourself, because only when both your physical and mental health are good can you go the distance," Hai Quynh concluded. As for Quynh Nhu, she learned to rest at the right time and prioritize her work. "I'm the one who chooses the path, so my body is my companion; I have to know how to harmonize instead of exhausting both," Quynh Nhu learned from experience.

HAI DUY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/noi-lo-qua-tai-cong-viec-o-nguoi-tre-post798501.html