BENGALURU: Burnout doesn’t happen overnight — it builds gradually, one skipped break and one late night at a time. At a panel discussion held in the city on Sunday, mental health experts emphasised that early recognition and workplace cultures built on empathy and rest are essential to combating the rising incidence of burnout among professionals.
Burnout is a slow leak of emotional energy
Speaking at the session titled Clocked In, Checked Out? Workplace Burnout, Matangi Jayaram from Live Love and Laugh Foundation described burnout as “a slow leak — emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and the sense that you have nothing left to give.” She stressed that companies must normalise conversations around mental health and train employees to identify early warning signs such as irritability, fatigue, and withdrawal.
Jayaram added that while corporate wellness programmes are gaining popularity, most fail to address structural causes of burnout, such as excessive workloads and a lack of psychological safety. “If the culture doesn’t allow rest or open dialogue, wellness sessions alone won’t help,” she said.
Being busy has become a badge of honour
Leadership coach Aruna Gopakumar observed that burnout often stems from collective work culture rather than individual weakness. “We’ve normalised being busy. Employees feel guilty for taking breaks or saying no. True leadership lies in creating psychological safety — a culture where people can admit they’re struggling without fear of judgement,” she said.
Gopakumar urged leaders to model healthy work behaviours by setting boundaries themselves. “If your team sees you sending emails at midnight, they’ll think that’s expected. Leaders must demonstrate balance,” she added.
Self-compassion is not indulgence — it’s maintenance
Psychotherapist Sailaja Manacha called for self-awareness and compassion in navigating stress. “Listen to your body. When you feel detached or joyless, pause before your body forces you to. Self-compassion is not indulgence — it’s maintenance,” she said. Manacha also highlighted the importance of supportive peer networks and periodic check-ins to assess emotional health.
A cultural shift toward rest and empathy
Experts agreed that addressing burnout requires moving away from glorifying overwork and towards valuing rest, reflection, and realistic expectations. “Workplaces must move from a performance-at-any-cost mindset to one that prioritises human sustainability,” Jayaram concluded.
The discussion underscored a growing awareness among Bengaluru professionals about the toll of constant hustle and the need for collective responsibility in building healthier workplaces.