Overcoming Overwork (HBR Women at Work Series)

5

Manage Your Burnout

A conversation with Mandy O’Neill

Working long hours won’t necessarily burn us out, but getting too little sleep or feeling unappreciated might. Women commonly face extra stressors, like office chores or doing a “second shift” at home, that can leave us exhausted. And once we’re burned out, it usually takes more than a few coffee breaks or going on vacation to feel like ourselves again.

Amy Bernstein, Nicole Torres, and Amy Gallo talked to Mandy O’Neill, an expert on workplace well-being, who explained the causes, symptoms, and repercussions of burnout. She suggested several ways to protect ourselves from experiencing it in the first place and antidotes (including laughing with your colleagues).

AMY BERNSTEIN: Mandy, let’s ...