In the rapidly evolving digital era, the demand to remain constantly productive has significantly increased, particularly among university students and interns. Both academic and professional environments often encourage individuals to consistently demonstrate optimal performance, positioning productivity as a primary benchmark for assessing competence.

Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress. This phenomenon is increasingly being normalized, where fatigue is perceived as an inevitable consequence of achievement-oriented processes. As a result, individuals tend to overlook signs of exhaustion that actually require serious attention.


In the context of internships, this pressure becomes more complex. As individuals transitioning into the professional world, interns often strive to prove their capabilities through maximum performance. Such conditions may encourage overworking behaviors that pose risks to psychological well-being.

The impact of burnout extends beyond decreased productivity, affecting broader psychological conditions such as increased stress, anxiety, and reduced motivation. If left unaddressed, burnout can hinder long-term individual development.

Therefore, a paradigm shift in understanding productivity is necessary. Achieving a balance between activity and rest should be prioritized. Academic and professional environments are also expected to foster more supportive cultures, enabling individuals to develop optimally without compromising their mental health.

References

Dhir, A., Yossatorn, Y., Kaur, P., & Chen, S. (2018). Online Social Media Fatigue and Psychological wellbeing—A Study of Compulsive use, Fear of Missing out, fatigue, Anxiety and Depression. International Journal of Information Management, 40(40), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.01.012

Lin, Y.-H., Lin, Y.-C., Lee, Y.-H., Lin, P.-H., Lin, S.-H., Chang, L.-R., Tseng, H.-W., Yen, L.-Y., Yang, C. C. H., & Kuo, T. B. J. (2015). Time distortion associated with smartphone addiction: Identifying smartphone addiction via a mobile application (App). Journal of Psychiatric Research, 65, 139–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.04.003

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the Burnout experience: Recent Research and Its Implications for Psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311

Schaufeli, W. B., Desart, S., & De Witte, H. (2020). Burnout assessment tool (BAT) — development, validity, and reliability. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9495. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249495

Penulis : Privianda Azahra Puanrani

Editor : Andrea Prita Purnama Ratri