Wed Sep 18 10:08:40 UTC 2024: ## Hustle Culture Takes a Toll: Young Professionals Suffer from Work Stress and Burnout

**New Delhi:** The relentless pressure of hustle culture is taking a heavy toll on young professionals, leading to serious health consequences. This alarming trend was highlighted after the tragic death of 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune.

In a heart-wrenching letter to the company, Anna’s mother revealed that her daughter died due to “excessive workload”. The letter highlighted the grueling hours, demanding deadlines, and relentless pressure she faced, which ultimately took a toll on her physical, emotional, and mental health.

This incident has sparked a wider conversation about the dangers of hustle culture, which glorifies working long hours and prioritizing work over personal well-being.

**Social Media Outrage:**

Several prominent figures, including software developer Kritarth Mittal, founder of the Soshals app, have spoken out about the negative impacts of hustle culture. Mittal, who was hospitalized after pulling all-nighters and following an unhealthy lifestyle, used his social media platform to warn others about the potential consequences.

Even Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath, who suffered a mild stroke, attributed it to factors like stress, poor sleep, exhaustion, and overworking.

**Experts Weigh In:**

Dr. Jini K Gopinath, Chief Psychology Officer of YourDost, pointed out that the pressure to succeed, coupled with long work hours and lack of perceived support, creates a toxic environment for many employees.

She urged organizations to foster a culture of open communication, where employees feel comfortable seeking help and support.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Senior Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, highlighted the link between modern lifestyle choices and health risks. He stressed that prolonged sitting, unhealthy diet, and lack of sleep significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks.

**Breaking the Cycle:**

Experts advise prioritizing mental and physical health, taking regular breaks, and adopting a healthier lifestyle to combat the negative effects of hustle culture.

While the concept of sleep health awareness remains limited in India, specialists like Dr. Sibasish Dey emphasize the importance of prioritizing sleep and seeking support when needed.

The recent tragedies serve as a stark reminder that hustle culture is unsustainable and potentially detrimental to individual well-being. It’s time for a shift in mindset, where organizations prioritize employee health and create a more balanced and supportive work environment.

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