How to cope with burnout

Abstract

If you’re still struggling after an exceptionally challenging year, you’re not alone. You might think you should feel better: new cases of COVID-19 are declining in many locations as vaccination rates rise. For many in academia, classes are finished, grades are submitted, and even the relentless tide of email may be receding. And no matter what sector you work in, hopefully the coming months will offer some time to step back from work and find relaxation and restoration. So if life seems to be trending toward some version of “normal,” or at least nonpandemic status, why do people still feel burned out? In a survey of 1,122 US faculty conducted in October by the Chronicle of Higher Education , over 70% of faculty reported that their workload had increased since the start of 2020, with the move to remote teaching playing a significant role. That finding is not surprising, given