Understanding Burnout: Lessons from Physics and Chaos Theory

The journey from burnout to understanding often requires a deeper look into the chaotic systems of life. Zahaan Bharmal, who works for Google and received the Nasa Exceptional Public Achievement medal, reflects on how physics helped him process his experience of job loss and burnout in 2001.

Facing redundancy after just nine months in his first job, Bharmal felt the impact of losing a position for which he had worked diligently. This setback, he realized, was not just a personal failure but part of a broader economic context. The bursting of the dotcom bubble had sent shockwaves through the financial landscape, leading to widespread job losses across various sectors.

In the wake of his redundancy, Bharmal drew parallels between his experience and chaotic systems in physics. He noted how events like the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 eurozone crisis, and the 2015 turbulence in the Chinese stock market followed a pattern of small, seemingly insignificant failures snowballing into major crises.

Recognizing the limitations of Newton’s second law of motion, Bharmal shifted his focus to concepts of chaos theory. He described the “three-body problem,” where the addition of a third planet complicates predictions due to complex interactions. This metaphor resonated with his realization that life’s unpredictability often defies straightforward cause and effect.

Bharmal reflected on the common response to chaos: the urge to control and optimize. Many, including himself, believe that relentless hard work leads to success. Yet, as he learned from physics, this approach can increase fragility rather than resilience. He likened this to a power grid operating at full capacity; when unexpected demands arise, overload can lead to failure.

A recent report from Mental Health UK highlighted that 91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme stress in the past year, with young workers feeling the pressure most acutely. Many feel compelled to work unpaid overtime, leading to an environment where burnout becomes commonplace.

Bharmal’s personal experience with burnout aligns with another principle from physics: the phase transition. Just as water appears stable until it reaches its boiling point, individuals can absorb stress until a critical threshold is crossed, resulting in sudden breakdowns.

To combat this, Bharmal has implemented strategies to increase his personal surge capacity. He emphasizes the importance of leaving slack in daily schedules and prioritizing recovery as essential rather than a luxury. Despite this, he notes that society often celebrates overwork, framing burnout as a personal failure rather than a systemic issue.

The recent Keep Britain Working review pointed to an alarming trend of individuals exiting the workforce due to mental health challenges. Bharmal argues that the expectation to operate without any slack is detrimental to overall well-being and productivity.

As Bharmal concludes, it is essential to recognize that resilience often requires inefficiency. By understanding the principles of chaos, individuals can better navigate the complexities of life and work. True success lies not only in the force applied but also in knowing when to ease off and allow for recovery.