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Jo Hooper, once a communications professional, spent much of her twenties rapidly advancing through her career, enjoying promotions and increased pay. She thrived on excelling in her role, recalling, “I loved being good at it.” However, despite reaching her goal of becoming head of communications by age 30, she soon faced severe burnout that forced her to take a break from work. Jo described her experience as a sudden and debilitating mental shift, saying, “I felt like someone had flipped a switch in my brain.”
Burnout, recognized by the World Health Organization as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion, is affecting many workers today. Research indicates that in Britain alone, work-related stress accounted for approximately 22 million lost working days in 2024-25. Jo reflected on her early career mindset, explaining how she worked long hours and took on numerous responsibilities, including tasks far beyond her job description, believing these were opportunities to grasp firmly. Yet, the pressure ultimately overwhelmed her. “I remember being in the bathroom crying, hyperventilating, but I never thought ‘this isn’t sustainable,’” she shared, highlighting how she initially assumed changing jobs would solve her struggles, only to find the same expectations in every workplace.
Jo’s burnout intensified during her first year in management, leading to two breakdowns within twelve months. She recounted the toll it took on her cognitive abilities: “I found it really difficult to make decisions, like my brain was working slower.” Her experience aligns with observations from burnout specialists such as Dr. Jill Williams, who notes that perfectionists and those who push themselves hardest are often the most vulnerable to burnout. Amy Davies from Public Health Wales further distinguishes burnout from stress, remarking, “Stress can feel like drowning, but burnout can feel like having nothing left to swim with.” Both experts emphasize that burnout can arise in any long-term, high-pressure situation—not just in the workplace—affecting carers, students, and others under persistent strain.
When it comes to recovery, simply taking a holiday is often insufficient. Davies explains that rest must be paired with changes addressing the underlying causes of exhaustion. Jo’s own journey led her to leave her career and confront diagnoses of anxiety and depression. She warns, “Rest doesn’t fix burnout… Actually changing the things that burnt you out or broke you down is the only way to get over it.” Now, she dedicates herself to advocating for a healthier work-life balance, coaching and speaking publicly to encourage others to reduce excessive work demands. Jo criticizes the culture of relentless productivity, stating, “I detest this optimisation culture… I think it just needs to get in the bin.” Her story resonates amid concerns among professions such as midwifery and teaching, where unions voice alarm over staff burnout and stress, calling for systemic changes to improve working conditions and wellbeing support
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