I climbed the career ladder and got my dream job at 30 - then I hit burnout
Summary
Jo Hooper, who worked hard to reach a top communications role by age 30, experienced burnout and had to take time off work. Burnout is a state of extreme tiredness and emotional exhaustion caused by stress, and it affects many workers in the UK.Key Facts
- Jo Hooper quickly advanced in her career during her 20s and reached her dream job as head of communications at 30.
- After a year in management, Jo suffered burnout, leading to two mental health breakdowns.
- Burnout is recognized by the World Health Organization as physical and emotional exhaustion due to long-term stress.
- In 2024-25, work-related stress caused 22 million days off work in Britain.
- Mental Health UK reports that 40% of young workers aged 18 to 24 took time off for mental health due to stress in 2025.
- Experts say burnout often affects perfectionists or those who overwork themselves and is different from depression or anxiety.
- Burnout can happen in any demanding role, not just work, including caregiving and studying.
- A holiday or short break may not fully fix burnout; it requires more long-term changes in stress and workload.
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