#Burnout

In recent years, the phrase “go touch grass” has gone viral on social media platforms, evolving from Gen Z’s favorite online insult into an unexpectedly effective piece of wellness advice. What began as a tongue-in-cheek way to tell someone to step away from digital disputes and reclaim perspective now carries new weight, as scientists worldwide have increasingly found that reconnecting with the natural world can significantly combat the effects of modern burnout and mental fatigue (VegOutMag).

Rising rates of workplace burnout have become a defining health issue of our time, raising urgent questions for employees in Thailand and around the world: is it possible to recover from burnout while still working, or must one step away to truly heal? According to the latest guidance from mental health experts and career coaches, recovering from burnout during ongoing employment is difficult, but not impossible—provided workers embrace careful self-assessment, boundary setting, and proactive communication with supervisors.

Chronic exhaustion, unmanageable stress, and a persistent sense of being overwhelmed: these feelings have become synonymous with workplace life for many Thais in 2025. With surveys showing that up to 90% of employees report high pressure at work globally, and organisations such as Mental Health UK highlighting burnout as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion triggered by prolonged stress, a pressing question confronts Thai society: is it actually possible to recover from burnout while staying on the job? (Refinery29)

Amid an alarming surge in job cuts across the United States in 2025, a new wave of layoff anxiety is sweeping through the workforce, driving Americans to work harder but ultimately burning out faster, experts warn. A recent CNBC report highlights the unprecedented level of job insecurity: nearly 700,000 layoffs were reported in the first five months of the year—an 80% spike compared to the same period in 2024—leaving 46% of workers worried about their future employment and exposing stark psychological tolls (CNBC).

A mounting crisis in academic mental health is coming into sharper focus, with recent research revealing that “gruesome” workloads and escalating job demands are taking a heavy toll on university faculty worldwide—including right here in Thailand. An Australian-led analysis, as reported by Times Higher Education, highlights how non-stop workdays stretching over nine hours have become standard for many academics, eroding boundaries between professional and personal life and producing measurable declines in mental and physical health. This trend is mirrored by new, Thailand-specific data showing similarly alarming rates of burnout and stress among university lecturers, raising critical questions about the future of higher education and the well-being of those who deliver it.

Recent research highlighted by Psychology Today suggests that true self-care goes far beyond popular notions of pampering or taking breaks when overwhelmed. The article argues that authentic self-care demands a profound change in mindset and the way individuals relate to themselves, especially as many people still approach self-care reactively, only turning to rest and restoration after crisis and exhaustion have set in (Psychology Today).

This new wave of psychological research is particularly significant for Thai readers, as the stresses of modern living in Thailand—whether in bustling Bangkok or throughout the countryside—mirror global trends: rapid urbanisation, rising work demands, and recently, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Many Thais turn to rest practices only when they reach the point of exhaustion, reinforcing cycles of burnout. The research calls into question the sustainability of this “crisis-driven” approach to self-care, urging a more proactive and sustained relationship with one’s own well-being.

A groundbreaking new study has upended conventional wisdom about burnout, finding that the overwhelming fatigue and emotional exhaustion many people experience are often rooted in broader life pressures—not just the demands of their jobs. The research, led by a team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), could reshape how both employers and individuals approach the problem of burnout, which is historically framed as a workplace issue (ScienceAlert).

“I’m fine.” For many ambitious young professionals in Thailand, these two words have become a reflex—an automatic response designed to hide struggles with anxiety, exhaustion, and emotional fatigue. Recent research and expert commentary highlight that such reassurances may actually be a warning sign of a growing and often invisible mental health crisis among high-achieving youth, with significant implications for both employers and society as a whole. Beneath the polished facade of career success, a significant number of young people are battling what psychologists call “high-functioning anxiety”—a silent, chronic condition that often goes unrecognized until it spirals into burnout and deeper psychological distress (Business Standard).

In a world dominated by round-the-clock digital connectivity and polished self-care routines, many Thais may find their energy mysteriously evaporating before the day is through. Fresh research, distilled by a prominent psychologist and summarized in a widely read Forbes article, reveals that it isn’t only overt stress and long hours that lead to exhaustion, but rather a collection of subtle, everyday behaviors that most people pass off as harmless. Understanding and addressing these quiet saboteurs could prove vital for many in Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing, tech-saturated society, where exhaustion is often worn as a badge of honour and productivity is prized above all else (Forbes).

A growing body of research and expert insight warns that while resilience is widely celebrated as the ability to overcome adversity, there is a darker side known as “toxic resilience”—when the drive to push through hardships becomes harmful, leading to deeper exhaustion and burnout. As Thai society embraces values of perseverance and adaptability, understanding the difference between healthy and toxic resilience is especially relevant for those juggling the demands of work, education, and family life.

In a world where success and achievement often define individual worth, new psychological insights highlight the silent epidemic facing high-achievers: burnout. A recent article by a psychologist, published in Forbes on May 20, 2025, draws attention to three definitive signs that indicate when relentless striving for excellence turns self-destructive, offering timely lessons for professionals, students, and families in Thailand’s increasingly competitive environment (Forbes).

The article outlines a familiar cycle experienced by many: periods of intense productivity followed by exhaustion, plummeting motivation, and a crisis in personal identity as the pursuit of achievement begins to overshadow well-being. With the pressure mounting in Thai workplaces, classrooms, and even homes to meet ever-higher standards, this research resonates with a society where academic and career milestones often serve as measures of self-worth.

A new wellness trend known as “cozymaxxing” has taken the internet by storm in 2025, promising to help people combat stress, burnout, and the constant pressures of modern life by optimizing their environments for maximum comfort and relaxation. Far from being an indulgent fad, emerging research and expert insights suggest that this approach to intentional coziness could hold important benefits for mental and emotional well-being—an idea that’s resonating strongly with Thai readers seeking practical ways to restore balance in turbulent times.

A surge of international and Thai research confirms that regular physical activity delivers powerful mental health benefits, reducing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Recent studies, highlighted in the article “The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise: How Movement Reduces Stress,” and new research from Thai academic institutions, show that integrating movement into daily routines is an essential—and accessible—strategy for safeguarding psychological well-being, especially in high-pressure environments such as universities and healthcare education.

Amid years of mounting stress and burnout in the legal profession, new data from the 2025 ALM Mental Health Survey offers a cautiously optimistic outlook: mental health among lawyers is measurably improving for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, even as serious workplace pressures persist and, in some cases, intensify. This shifting landscape holds valuable lessons for Thai legal professionals and underscores the universal challenge of workplace mental health in a high-pressure field.

Burnout is more than just a buzzword—it’s an escalating crisis impacting health, happiness, and productivity worldwide, including in Thailand. Recent research and expert testimony from a high-profile conference in Miami highlight the seriousness of burnout and provide actionable strategies for individuals, families, and communities to address chronic stress. As the phenomenon becomes more widely recognized, mental health professionals urge everyone—from senior caregivers to students and the general workforce—to take burnout prevention seriously and adopt routine habits that foster resilience and joy.

As the pace of modern life intensifies, new research on stress management is gaining urgent attention among experts in Thailand and around the globe. Recent studies, as highlighted by leading organizations and academic journals, have revealed rapidly rising stress levels not only in the workplace but throughout society, affecting daily well-being and long-term health outcomes. For Thai readers living amidst rapid economic change, social media pressures, and persistent work-life challenges, understanding the latest findings on stress and practical management techniques is crucial for protecting both mental and physical health.

Employee burnout, a phenomenon once considered a personal struggle, is now recognized as a crisis that threatens business productivity and the broader economy, with recent studies estimating that companies are losing millions each year due to lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover. The urgency for leaders to act has never been higher as organizations in Thailand and around the world face growing pressure to address this silent epidemic and implement effective solutions (Forbes).

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.

In an era where mental health challenges are escalating worldwide, Thailand mirrors a concerning global trend: workers increasingly grappling with stress, anxiety, and burnout. A recent study by AXA and IPSOS, encompassing 16 countries, including Thailand, unveils the pervasive stressors affecting individuals aged 18 to 75 in the workforce. This research highlights key factors impacting mental well-being, illuminating the urgency for awareness and action within Thai society.

The study’s global span includes nations such as China, France, Turkey, and Thailand, showing a disturbing consistency in the workforce’s mental health decline. In Thailand, as in many parts of the world, financial instability and job insecurity compound the psychological toll of constant negative media exposure. The prevalence of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety remains unsettling, affecting one in three individuals surveyed. These findings resonate with Thai readers due to cultural sensitivities around mental health and a growing openness to discussing these issues within communities.