Experiencing burnout can be a profound and disorienting challenge. For Zahaan Bharmal, a professional at Google and a recipient of NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement medal, physics provided an unexpected framework to understand and recover from his own burnout. His journey illustrates how principles from the natural sciences can shed light on personal experiences and societal issues related to stress and work.
Bharmal’s relationship with physics began in his teenage years, where concepts like “force equals mass times acceleration” offered him comfort. This structured view of the universe seemed to promise that hard work would lead to success. However, his expectations were shattered when he faced redundancy just nine months into his first job in the summer of 2001. This layoff was not an isolated failure but part of a broader economic downturn following the bursting of the dotcom bubble, which had far-reaching effects on industries worldwide.
The chaos surrounding economic systems often mirrors principles found in physics. Bharmal points out that many financial crises, including the 2008 sub-prime mortgage crash and the 2015 turbulence in the Chinese stock market, stemmed from small, seemingly insignificant failures that escalated. These events exemplify chaotic systems, where tiny variations can lead to dramatically different outcomes.
Bharmal introduces the “three-body problem” from physics as a metaphor for unpredictability in life and work. Just as adding a third planet to a two-planet orbit complicates predictions, so too does the complexity of human life and professional circumstances. This unpredictability can create an illusion of control, prompting many, including Bharmal, to push themselves to the limits in their careers.
He emphasizes that working at full capacity often makes individuals more fragile rather than stronger. Drawing an analogy from engineering, he likens this to power grids that can fail under sudden surges. A grid operating at 100% capacity risks blackouts, while one designed with slack can absorb unexpected demands. This concept raises critical questions about workplace culture, particularly in environments that glorify overwork.
Recent findings from Mental Health UK reveal that 91% of adults in the UK have experienced high or extreme stress in the past year, with younger individuals feeling the pressure most acutely. The data indicates that nearly half of young workers often work unpaid overtime, and a significant majority of desk workers feel compelled to extend their hours beyond what is reasonable.
Bharmal reflects on his personal experience with burnout, likening stress accumulation to water heating until it reaches a boiling point. This phase transition can catch individuals off guard, as the pressure builds gradually before manifesting suddenly. The struggle to maintain balance is a common thread in today’s fast-paced work environment, where many people operate without sufficient recovery time.
Through his journey, Bharmal has learned to incorporate techniques that enhance personal resilience by ensuring he leaves space in his schedule for the unexpected. He stresses that recovery is not merely a luxury but a necessity. Unfortunately, many workplaces continue to reward relentless work ethics while stigmatizing burnout as a personal failure rather than recognizing it as a systemic issue.
The recent Keep Britain Working review highlights a growing concern: an increase in individuals leaving the workforce due to mental health issues. Bharmal argues that the expectation to function at full capacity without any allowance for fluctuation is detrimental.
The intersection of physics and personal experience serves as a powerful reminder that resilience requires an understanding of limits. Bharmal concludes with an essential insight: achieving success is not solely about exerting force but knowing when to ease off. This nuanced understanding could be vital for individuals and organizations striving for sustainable well-being in the workplace.
