As the year draws to a close, a significant number of Canadians are grappling with the pervasive effects of burnout, with digital exhaustion emerging as a primary culprit. The holiday season, however, presents a critical opportunity to step back, unplug, and recharge for the new year.
The Rising Tide of Digital Exhaustion
Digital burnout, characterized by fatigue, exhaustion, and apathy resulting from excessive screen time, is a growing occupational hazard. A recent survey conducted by Shift Technologies Inc. sheds light on the scale of the issue, finding that approximately 62% of users experience this form of burnout either occasionally or regularly. Compounding the problem, the data shows that 31% of people rarely or never disconnect from their devices.
The phenomenon gained formal recognition in 2019 when the World Health Organization classified it as an "occupational phenomenon." The burden is not felt equally across generations. The survey indicates that 34% of Gen Z respondents regularly feel burnt out, in stark contrast to 31% of Baby Boomers who report never experiencing it.
A Business and Productivity Crisis
The impact of burnout extends far beyond individual well-being, creating tangible challenges for Canadian businesses. Research from Robert Half Canada Inc. highlights the corporate cost: in March, 40% of businesses blamed burnout for a drop in productivity. Furthermore, 34% of employers cited it as a cause for missed deadlines, and 24% linked it directly to lost revenue.
"In addition to being an increasingly worrying issue for professionals, burnout is a major challenge for employers as well," said Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director at Robert Half Canada. "When employees are burned out due to heavy workloads and understaffed teams, businesses risk decreased productivity and morale, losing valued team members, and revenue loss."
Certain sectors are more vulnerable than others. The tech industry is particularly affected, with 37% of workers in technology-related roles reporting feelings of burnout.
The Holiday Prescription for a Digital Detox
Mental health advocates see the upcoming holiday break as a perfect and necessary circuit breaker. Resources like DeconstructingStigma recommend practical steps to combat digital burnout, such as pausing before immediately responding to messages, firmly leaving work behind at the end of the day, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and streamlining or closing unnecessary digital accounts.
This intentional disconnection during the holidays allows for a mental reset that can improve both personal health and professional performance. The Posthaste newsletter team has also announced a holiday break, underscoring the importance of this downtime, and will return with fresh insights on January 5.
As Canadians navigate the pressures of a connected world, the consensus is clear: using the festive season to genuinely step away from screens is not a luxury, but a vital strategy for sustaining well-being and success in the year ahead.
