Specifically, how does burnout happen from people working too many hours?
And how is it related to depression?
In: Biology
Too much of anything can become a bad thing. Burnout is like eating too much food and having a tummy ache afterwards, or eating ice cream too fast and getting brainfreeze.
When you eat in moderation and also do things that expend energy, you maintain a sustainable balance. It’s much like working a lot, but doing other activities to counterbalance.
When you eat more than your body needs or more than it can handle, your body’s chemistry begins to change and can have negative results on your health. This is like working overtime, occasionally it’s fine, but it’ll take it’s toll.
Then there is binge eating, which is “eating on overtime”. Just because the food goes down doesn’t mean the body can handle it without serious negative risks or becoming sick. In the same sense, even though someone physically can work extra long shifts, it’s binge working and eventually the body and mind can’t take anymore and it becomes a risk to their health.
Now imagine if you were made to (or chose to) eat nothing but one favorite food everyday for all of your meals. Eventually you would grow sick if that food and not even wanna look at it or smell it.
This same concept applies to anything that can be done too much (to the point it becomes a problem). Eating, not eating, working, exercising, drugs, talking, watching tv, spending time with people etc…
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