Burnout During COVID
DWN Members,
I can’t believe it’s only October–2020 feels like it’s lasting a lifetime. With kids recently starting school again, the continued violence against the Black community, the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, fires burning across the west coast, 6+ months since the COVID pandemic began in the U.S., not to mention juggling our many job responsibilities … there is so much going on, and of course, much more than what I just mentioned. I know many of us are currently feeling, or have recently felt, anxious, stressed, exhausted, or all of the above. Burnout is real.
According to award-winning author Emily Nagoski, burnout is, “the feeling of being overwhelmed and exhausted by everything you have to do, while still worrying that you are not doing enough.”
While anyone can experience burnout, since COVID began, women are twice as likely to experience burnout and physical symptoms of severe anxiety according to a recent study by Lean In. On average, women take on 20+ more hours each week than men on unpaid domestic work from chores to childcare which lead women to feel they must “always be on.” Studies pre-COVID show that workplace inequalities also contribute to higher burnout rates … Read more and comment