Women in health, education and hospitality industries are most at risk of developing abrutal health issue with many not realising what their symptoms are pointing tountil it’s too late. New research from Westfield Health found in certain jobs, women experience this burnout atnearly twice the rate that their male colleagues do.

Wellbeing expert Cathy Lawson explained exactly what is putting women’s health at a higher risk in these careers and the three crucial steps women can take to stop burnout from affecting their work, relationships and future physical health.

The Westfield Health expert said: “Burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, driven by sustained stress, that can affect your ability to work, your relationships and your physical health. Worryingly, it’s becoming increasingly common among working women in the UK.”

The Westfield Health survey found across all career paths, two in five women in the UK are feeling burnt out often or all the time, compared to under a third of men. However, certain jobs and industries held a much higher rate of women workers becoming burnt out often.

Women in the health and social care industry, namely nurses, care workers and social workers, had the highest rate of burnout at 49%. Swiftly followed by women in trade, transport and hospitality, which includes retail and hospitality workers, at 48%.

Women in public administration and education, such as teachers and civil servants, were also in the running for top spot at 43%. The wellbeing expert pointed out the physical nature most of these roles contribute to these figures.

She said: “Nurses, teachers, care workers and those in customer-facing jobs are giving a lot of themselves every single day. When you combine that sustained emotional output with the fact that many of these roles offer limited flexibility, fewer opportunities to step back and recover, and often carry significant responsibility without commensurate support, the conditions for burnout are very easy to create.”

However, the study found that overall women were more likely to be burnt out than men regardless of their sector. And when factors outside of work were considered, the difference in burnout rates only widened.

Lawson added: “Many women are managing a second, invisible workload outside of their jobs: caring responsibilities, household management, emotional labour for family and friends. That doesn’t stop when the working day ends.

“When you are carrying that level of sustained pressure across every area of your life, it is very hard to recover properly. And without recovery, burnout becomes almost inevitable.”

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Burnout can be difficult to identify as its earliest signs can be easily dismissed, such as tiredness, low motivation or irritability. It’s often only when the condition starts causing physical symptoms like muscle pains, frequent illnesses and headaches that people recognise it as burnout but this may already be too late.

Lawson continued: “Feeling burnt out is different from having a difficult week. You might notice you are exhausted even after rest, that you have stopped enjoying things you normally would.

“There is still a tendency, particularly among women in caring roles, to put everyone else’s needs before their own and to view asking for help as a failure. It’s not. Getting support early is one of the most effective things you can do.

“Burnout does not resolve itself if you push through it. In most cases, it gets worse.”

Burnout can also be hard to navigate even after identifying it, as the expert urged anyone who believes they’re reaching the end of their tether to take three crucial steps:

• Talk to your employer


• See your GP


• Make changes where you can

Lawson particularly recommended people check if their company has Employee Assistance Programmes, which many do, that can provide free counselling and mental health support. Your employer may also be able to adjust your workload or provide flexible working and temporary reasonable adjustments.

While burnout is not a formal diagnosis, it can overlap and exarcebate other conditions like anxiety that can benefit from clinical support. Prioritising your general health, such as sleep, diet and nesuring you get enough breaks in the day, can also help manage stress and burnout.

Lawson added: “Burnout tends to feel overwhelming precisely because everything feels urgent at once. Breaking it down, and being honest with yourself about what you can and cannot sustain, is a good place to start.”

If you are in crisis or need immediate mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24 hours) or visit www.samaritans.org. Shout also offers a free, confidential 24/7 crisis service in the UK. Just text SHOUT to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer.