Modern work demands we be ‘always on’. It’s wearing us down

Ever found yourself frozen at your desk, staring blankly at your inbox, thinking: “I just can’t do this any more”? You’re not alone.

As a workplace psychologist, I constantly hear this from people who feel completely stretched to their limit. And research confirms it: nearly 48 per cent of us say we have experienced stress and anxiety at work in the last 12 months, according to Indeed. That overwhelmed feeling is far more common than you might think.

The relentless pace of work can leave us feeling burnt out and worn down, especially during winter.Credit: iStock

The relentless pace of modern work can wear us down, especially during winter. Shorter days and colder weather pull us inward. It’s a season long associated with rest and reflection, but instead of slowing down, we’re expected to keep sprinting at full speed. That clash between our environment and our workload creates a quiet friction, so it’s no wonder so many of us feel tired, foggy, or flat.

The first step to reclaiming your energy is understanding why you feel this way. Many of us have barrelled through the year without a real break. Our summer holidays feel as much like a distant memory as they do an out-of-reach reward.

Even with more flexible work options, workplace expectations don’t disappear. Our research shows 28 per cent of workers want office attendance to disappear when remote work is possible, yet many workplaces are demanding more in-person time than recently.

It’s not just about the hours themselves, but the lack of autonomy in our lives. When your time feels out of your control, you can feel trapped, and resentment can build.

When all these pressures pile up, they can lead to chronic exhaustion, emotional flatness, or a growing sense of cynicism.

Workplace culture also plays a huge role. Maybe your office expects you to be “always on,” or competition trumps collaboration. Perhaps your manager has changed and so have the rules. Or perhaps you’re stuck in the same role, waiting for a promotion or a pay rise that never comes. Doing the same work day after day with no acknowledgment can quickly wear us down.

Then there’s the pain of invisibility. When you’re meeting your goals, going the extra mile, and are still unseen or unrecognised, it’s natural to ask: “Why am I even here?”

Recognition isn’t a luxury – it’s a vital part of feeling valued and motivated. When recognition is missing, motivation suffers. When all these pressures pile up, they can lead to chronic exhaustion, emotional flatness, or a growing sense of cynicism – classic early burnout signs.

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So, what can you do? Start by imagining a day free from your current work pressures. What would you do? What brings you joy? Where do your values lie?

Maybe your ideal life includes more flexibility, creativity, or time offline and with loved ones. These aren’t indulgences – they’re clues about what kind of work and work-life balance might genuinely sustain you in the long term.

Remember that this kind of fatigue is not failure. It’s your body and mind signalling that something needs to change. Small adjustments can make a big difference during these periods of fatigue.

Take regular breaks – get up and move, even if it’s just a quick walk or 10 minutes away from your screen. Celebrate small wins – a coffee, a call to a friend – to reconnect effort with reward. And if you haven’t had a proper holiday lately, take one.

Unplugging fully, even for just a few days, can give you clarity to decide if the problem is the job itself – or how you’re being asked to execute it.

Sometimes, a bigger change is needed. If your current role no longer fits your strengths or values, consider a career pivot. You don’t have to start over – many skills you have are likely to be transferable.

It’s OK to want more than just a pay cheque. And it’s OK to feel lost for a while as you figure out what’s next. Whether you recommit with new boundaries or take a leap into something new, you deserve work that doesn’t just pay the bills – but also gives something back to you.

Amanda Gordon is a workplace psychologist at job site Indeed.

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