The Impact of COVID on the Burnout Epidemic

While our society grapples with a global pandemic, it does so against the backdrop of a continually growing burnout epidemic. The immense cost of COVID-19 to the economy translates into job losses, pay cuts and even greater job insecurity across the board, creating a perfect breeding ground for the factors that contribute to burnout.

Almost everyone I know is affected — companies are firing employees and slashing working hours as they look to cut costs. Freelancers have seen income streams dry up completely as clients cancel projects or turn in-house for everything they possibly can. With the global economy forecast to shrink by around 3% due to COVID 19, those of us who are employees, freelancers or small business owners are more vulnerable to burnout than ever.

The prevalence of burnout was well documented pre-COVID, but we are now further than ever from stopping the spread. And as long as society and its governments continue to support corporations over people (as evidenced repeatedly in decisions regarding bailouts and stimulus packages primarily directed at corporations, not families or individuals), burnout is not going anywhere. In fact, as the long-term impact of COVID-19 starts to emerge, burnout will likely only grow.

As someone who survived and thrived after a burnout and is currently researching a book to…