Workers advised to take time out to avoid burnout

Dr Adhitya S Ramadianto, a psychiatrist from the National General Hospital Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM), has reminded workers to dedicate time to themselves to avoid burnout or work-related exhaustion.

“If you begin to feel burnt out or lose motivation, you can identify it through the smallest aspects of yourself. Perhaps we simply need rest or things that can make us more enthusiastic and relaxed,” Adhitya told ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Adhitya highlighted the phenomenon of burnout, which is characterised by an individual feeling extremely fatigued by their work. This fatigue is deemed disproportionate to the workload, leading to a lack of engagement and a sense that no achievement or satisfaction is being gained from the tasks performed.

According to Adhitya, this condition arises from an imbalance between work demands and the worker’s capacity. When employees operate within a ‘hustle culture’—where they are constantly pressured to perform without sufficient appreciation, rewards, or adequate skill support—they become more vulnerable to burnout.

In this regard, besides self-awareness, reaching out to those closest to them can be a step towards avoiding burnout. Adhitya noted that reaching out can involve sharing burdens through storytelling or venting emotions that have been suppressed or are causing mental clutter.

Workers can also reach out by discussing issues with colleagues to seek advice on managing accumulating workloads. If these efforts prove insufficient, consulting mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, is recommended as an option to overcome work-related burnout.

“Seeking help serves two purposes: the emotional aspect, to allow for venting and sharing one’s heart, and the practical or technical aspect, to help us resolve problems at work,” he concluded.