From burnout to balance: The next evolution of wellbeing at work

 

THE Malaysian workplace operates at a high speed which forces employees to stay at work for extended periods while keeping their devices connected.

The emphasis on productivity has led to more people developing chronic stress and burnout while their chances of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes and heart disease and hypertension grow higher.

According to the Health Ministry’s National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, over half a million of Malaysians live with four NCDs, with diabetes alone affecting 15.6% of the population and rising cases seen among those aged 18 to 29.

Medical check-ups often fail to detect many of the health issues caused by stress. According to Dr Wee Hui Yin, the resident medical officer at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City’s Wellness Centre, patients rarely mention “burnout”, but they frequently show signs of stress during their medical consultations and history evaluation sessions.

“Many don’t call it burnout, but it appears as fatigue, irritability, sleep issues, and lower tolerance at work and home,” she noted.

Stress is common, but often unspoken

“Malaysia’s burnout rate is alarmingly high, with 67% of workers reporting burnout in 2024, a significant jump from 58% in 2022,” Dr Wee shared, noting that millennials and Gen Z are most vocal.

However, she observed that mid-life adults may be especially vulnerable. As the ‘sandwich generation’ they balance careers with caring for both children and ageing parents, often internalising stress instead of addressing it, which raises their long-term health risks.

Given these changes, companies now see that supporting employee’s wellbeing requires more than just emotional support.

Workplace wellness now requires organisations to adopt a more holistic system that combines physical health assessments with lifestyle guidance and emotional wellness support.

When workplace stress becomes a health risk

The human body develops two different health problems when stress continues to exist.

First is the physiological problems whereby prolonged exposure to stress hormones such as cortisol can lead to increased blood sugar levels, higher bad cholesterol, greater visceral fat accumulation, and elevated blood pressure.

The patients can also experience psychological distress where they develop depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and dangerous drinking habits which can ultimately create additional health threats for patients.

“These changes significantly increase the risk of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Stress also causes inflammation and stiffening of the arteries, which helps explain why some people develop heart problems even without obvious risk factors,” Dr Wee  said.

Why screening alone isn’t enough

Dr Wee went on to point out that company health screening programmes will not achieve meaningful results if they focus only on annual tests, without appropriate post-screening medical follow-up and lifestyle intervention.

“Some patients come every year, but their results remain the same. Often, it is not lack of awareness, but a lack of time, guidance and support, accompanied by long working hours, poor routines and the feeling of not knowing where to start. That means no real changes are made,” she remarked.

A preventive health routine requires regular monitoring of blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, BMI, waist circumference, kidney function, stress levels, and sleep quality.

These results should guide lifestyle adjustments and follow-up care, rather than exist as standalone diagnostic checks.

A holistic model of wellbeing

(Image: HRM Asia)

Health is more than avoiding sickness; it means living well. Dr Wee advocates a holistic approach that combines medical care with lifestyle, diet, and mental health.

“Using lifestyle medicine, we always encourage healthy eating, stress management, and better sleep as chronic diseases continue to increase in Malaysia,” she stated.

Dr Wee points to the world’s “Blue Zones” places like Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (California, USA), and Sardinia (Italy) where people consistently live longer, healthier lives with fewer chronic diseases.

“These communities share a simple formula we call the “Power of 9’”. They move naturally every day, eat mostly plant-based meals, manage stress well, and maintain strong social bonds. It is not about rigid routines or unrealistic health goals,” she said.

“It is about helping people make small, practical changes they can actually stick to. People can achieve this by walking more at work and preparing nutritious home meals and by dedicating more time to their family relationships.”

What employers can do

Integrated wellbeing programmes that include preventive health, emotional support, and lifestyle education are crucial for reducing absenteeism, lowering healthcare costs, and increasing productivity.

Dr Wee also noted that workplace culture plays a key role. Expectations of long hours and constant connectivity can negatively affect employees’ physical and mental health, leading to reduced work quality.

“Being at work longer doesn’t mean being more effective,” she added.

Offering practical support like childcare, clear work boundaries, self-care, and healthy leadership helps reduce stress and burnout, especially for mid-career caregivers. Healthy employees are more productive, so seeking help promptly is important.

“Stress and burnout are not personal failures. When you take care of yourself, you are not being selfish, you are making it possible to care for others and sustain your life and career in the long run,” she continued. ‒  Focus Malaysia