How common is office burnout in 2025?
Ever experienced office burnout? Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As this stress continues, you begin to lose interest and motivation. Burnout reduces productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give.
Work-related factors can contribute significantly to burnout, especially if you have a high workload, little control over your work, or a lack of recognition for it. Your work atmosphere, commute, quality of office facilities, and desk space can also be large contributors to burnout.
As more companies push their employees to come back into traditional office spaces, which then entails long commutes and office hours of often longer than 9-5, there are more opportunities than ever for the masses to develop burnout. And that’s in the UK, too.
Even if you are a business owner or generally work by yourself, working from home also has its fair share of challenges. Just because you don’t have the commute doesn’t mean you are exempt from the symptoms of office burnout (being cooped up inside all day never helps). As a result, we propose that a flexible coworking space can present the best of both worlds.
The symptoms of burnout
In a traditional office environment, burnout often presents with several key symptoms, each tied to specific causes.
One common symptom is chronic fatigue, which can stem from long working hours, inadequate breaks, and constant pressure to meet deadlines. Fatigue builds gradually over time to completely diminish your productivity and motivation. This can become a huge issue especially if you end up having to take home with you, or have a long commute.
Meanwhile, attitudes of cynicism or detachment can develop when employees feel undervalued, unsupported, or disconnected from the purpose of their work, especially over long periods. This can be exacerbated by setbacks in the workplace, such as being passed over for promotions.
Sleep disturbances are also frequent, typically caused by the inability to “switch off” after work due to constant emails, looming tasks, or performance anxiety. Meanwhile, physical symptoms such as headaches or gastrointestinal issues may arise from sitting for long periods, poor office ergonomics, or skipped meals due to a hectic schedule.
Has this ever sounded like you? Let’s have a look at the statistics…
Key burnout statistics from 2025
Interestingly, statistics show that over time, young people such as those aged 18-24 have developed a disproportionately higher chance of suffering office burnout compared to their older peers.
According to Mental Health UK’s own report, 18-24 year olds are now 3x more likely than their older peers to need time off for burnout or extended stress related issues, and this proportion has been increasing; interestingly however, the percentage of total people of all ages who have experienced this has remained constant at 21%. This means that older people are in fact less likely to experience burnout, by a proportional factor to increase in likelihood for 18-24 year olds.
One reason for this could be the previously mentioned return to the office, as we talked about [here]. Many firms are wanting to boost productivity post-COVID and are shepherding their employees to come into the office usually either 4 or 5 days per week.
Naturally, this is most likely to affect younger people in the 18-24 age bracket, as they tend to occupy more junior positions within these firms. As such, they are not afforded the same luxuries as their older – and more senior – peers, including being able to work from home on occasion, or making decisions to spread their workload to others. 48% of those aged 18-24 are also expected to work some form of unpaid overtime, which could be a factor.
The report also noted a sharp drop in the percentage of young people who are willing to discuss their symptoms of burnout with their managers, down from 75% to 56%. With suicide rates still high, especially amongst young men, it’s more important than ever to remind you to put yourself and your needs first. Always take the time to speak to someone if you believe you are suffering the symptoms of burnout before it has a chance to develop into more serious problems.
How can coworking spaces decrease your risk of burnout?
If you have the luxury (or the courage!) to start your own business, coworking spaces could be a fantastic way to eliminate many of the risks above. Flexible office spaces offer a unique environment that blends the functionality of a traditional office with the flexibility of remote work as well as other benefits, which can significantly enhance work-life balance. These shared offices provide a dedicated workspace away from home, which is crucial considering that working from home isn’t always ideal for productivity. Coworking spaces can be better given that you’re working in a professional but also relaxed business environment, and without many of the distractions available at home.
With amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, ergonomic furniture, communal areas and tea/coffee, they also deliver a more comfortable office environment that traditional office spaces rarely provide. These are all factors that can go a long way to reducing burnout. Furthermore, coworking spaces such as ours utilise natural light and have spacious interiors, even recreational facilities, to take care of your physical health as well.
The inherent flexibility of coworking spaces allows professionals to create a work schedule that fits their personal life, enabling them to attend to family needs or personal errands during the day, helping to improve work-life balance.
Additionally, since coworking spaces are full of like-minded professionals, there are plenty of networking opportunities. This may come in the form of casual conversation in any of the communal areas, or at dedicated networking events held by those who run the office space (we do this at Venture X!).
We can even offer our services as a virtual office if you’d still prefer to work from home, more about which can be read here – to find out more and start the process to transform your work life for the better, book a consultation today!
Other ways to prevent office burnout before it starts
While coworking spaces can make a huge difference, there are plenty of additional strategies you can use to proactively manage stress and avoid burnout. Whether you’re working remotely, from a traditional office, or anywhere in between. These tips are backed by experts and can help create a healthier, more sustainable approach to work.
- Prioritise rest and recovery.
Burnout often creeps in when we don’t give ourselves enough time to rest. Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep each night and carving out downtime in your schedule – even if it’s just a walk, a nap, or ten minutes away from screens. Overworking yourself to the point of exhaustion might seem productive short-term, but it’s one of the quickest routes to burnout. - Set clear boundaries.
It’s essential to set limits on your working hours, especially if you’re working from home or constantly connected through emails and messaging apps. Let colleagues and clients know when you’re available, and stick to it. That includes turning off notifications after hours and resisting the urge to “just check” your inbox at 10pm. - Move your body regularly.
Even short bursts of physical activity during the day can dramatically improve your energy, mood, and ability to focus. Whether it’s a lunchtime walk, a yoga stretch, or a quick cycle to the shops, movement releases endorphins that help counteract the effects of stress and screen fatigue. - Make time for things that bring you joy.
Hobbies, creative outlets, and time with loved ones are not luxuries – they are essential to your mental well-being. Carving out space for joy and connection outside of work is one of the most powerful ways to build long-term resilience. - Talk about how you’re feeling.
Whether it’s with a trusted friend, coworker, therapist, or manager, sharing how you’re feeling can release tension and give you clarity. You don’t have to wait until you’re at breaking point – early conversations often lead to the support you need before burnout takes hold. - Take regular breaks throughout your day.
The human brain is not wired to focus for hours on end. Try using techniques like the Pomodoro Method (25 minutes focused work, 5-minute break) to stay productive without pushing yourself into overdrive. And don’t forget to take a proper lunch break, away from your desk if possible.
Discover a Healthier, More Sustainable Way to Work and Prevent Office Burnout
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a growing reality for professionals of all ages, especially in today’s fast-paced, always-on culture. Whether you’re feeling the early signs or simply want to prevent them before they start, making small, intentional changes can completely transform how you work and feel day to day.
At Venture X, we believe that where you work plays a huge role in how you work. Our flexible coworking spaces are designed to help you thrive – with natural light, inspiring interiors, spacious desks, wellness-focused amenities, and a community of ambitious professionals to connect with.
Whether you’re a freelancer, remote worker, startup team, or small business owner, we’re here to support your success – and your wellbeing.
Book a tour today or schedule a free consultation to see how Venture X can help you create a better, healthier way of working.
