Emotional exhaustion in December reflects mental exhaustion accumulated throughout the year and helps explain increased anxiety and absences.
The emotional exhaustion that intensifies in December is not a coincidence and is not limited to the typical fatigue of the end of the year. This reflects a mental exhaustion accumulated over the months, which makes the end of the corporate calendar a critical moment.
Goals to achieve, performance evaluations, shortened deadlines and strategic decisions add up to personal and social demands, increasing psychological overload.
Data from the Ministry of Social Security indicates that in 2024, more than 440,000 Brazilian workers will be laid off due to mental and behavioral disorders, a figure that is more than double the number recorded a decade ago.
Anxiety disorders lead to sick leave, followed by depressive episodes. Experts point out that the last quarter of the year concentrates a significant part of this worsening.
Why does December intensify mental exhaustion?
According to Danilo Suassuna, doctor of psychology and director of the Suassuna Institute, the month of December acts as an amplifier of the emotional exhaustion accumulated throughout the year.
“The end of the year brings together two simultaneous movements: the closing of cycles and the pressure of final results. People revisit frustrations, unmet goals and unrealistic expectations, at the same time as they face increased demands at work”he declares.
In the professional environment, the period is generally marked by accelerated deliveries, evaluations, budget negotiations and planning for the following year. This more intense pace occurs precisely when many workers are already showing clear signs of emotional fatigue.
Impacts of burnout on health and work
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety generate global productivity losses of around $1 trillion per year, mainly due to absenteeism and extended leave.
For Suassuna, the problem is not only the number of tasks, but also the way the work is organized:
“There is a normalization of overload. Long working hours, difficulties in disconnecting and the systematic postponement of rest create a state of continuous alert. In December, the body is no longer capable of maintaining this rhythm”explain.
Investigation into State of the Global Workplaceby Gallup, shows that 44% of workers worldwide report high levels of daily stress.
In Brazil, recent research highlights a steady increase in symptoms associated with burnout, particularly among professionals in administrative, health and service fields.
Prevention before emotional depression
In addition to work pressures, the end of the year brings additional social demands, such as gatherings, travel, drinking, and family reunions.
“There is a narrative that the year should end well, with a sense of accomplishment and happiness. When this does not happen, the feeling of inadequacy and personal failure intensifies”warns the psychologist.
For experts, this period must be considered strategic for preventive actions. The WHO estimates that every dollar invested in mental health promotion programs can generate a return on investment of up to four dollars, through reduced sick leave and increased productivity.
“The end of the year should not be synonymous with emotional collapse. Taking care of your mental health during this period is a way to get through the end of the cycle with more balance and start the next year in better conditions”concludes Suassuna.
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