H.’s work schedule is almost always packed, with constant pressure to meet sales targets. On many days, she uses her one-hour lunch break to visit her mother, who is ill.

Between her job, housework, children and the responsibility of caring for both her own parents and her in-laws, H.’s daily routine leaves virtually no room to rest. On many evenings, she brings work home and continues until 10 or 11pm before going to bed. After only a few hours of sleep, her alarm rings again, calling her up for yoga before another day begins.

“Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m living for. Every day just feels like the same cycle repeating itself,” H. said.

Her husband runs his own business and has little time to share the household responsibilities. Seeing how exhausted she has become, he has repeatedly suggested that she quit her job to focus on the family and help with his business. But fiercely independent, H. does not want to give up her career or become financially dependent on her husband.

Recently, she has been struggling with frequent insomnia, persistent neck and shoulder pain and an overwhelming sense of fatigue. More worryingly, she has gradually begun to feel that life has lost its meaning and that she is simply trying to keep going to fulfill her responsibilities to everyone around her, prompting her to seek medical help.

Carrying everything without realizing the limit has been crossed

Dr. Bui Pham Minh Man, deputy head in charge of the Department of Traditional Medicine at the University of Health Sciences under Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, said cases like H.’s are becoming increasingly common. Modern women often find themselves taking on multiple roles simultaneously: employee, wife, mother, daughter and caregiver to other family members.

Pressure from all sides leaves many women living with an unhealthy imbalance for extended periods. More concerning is that they continue trying to carry everything themselves without realizing they have already pushed beyond their limits.

According to Man, burnout syndrome is not simply the feeling of being tired after a long day at work. It is a state of both physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged, unmanaged chronic stress.

Common warning signs include persistent insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or waking during the night; headaches and tension or stiffness in the neck and shoulders; difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and declining work performance. Many people also experience digestive problems such as bloating, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea as prolonged stress affects the gut-brain axis.

In more severe cases, burnout can lead to anxiety, irritability and a loss of interest in work and family life. Some people may even develop feelings of emptiness or a sense that life has lost its meaning.

Man recommends seeking medical attention if insomnia persists for more than two weeks despite lifestyle adjustments; headaches or digestive problems repeatedly return; difficulty concentrating begins to affect work; or signs of anxiety, depression or negative thoughts about oneself emerge.

A medical examination can help doctors rule out conditions such as anemia, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease or metabolic disorders, while also assessing whether symptoms stem from occupational stress or from anxiety or depression requiring more specialized treatment.

According to the expert, lifestyle changes remain the foundation for preventing and improving burnout. Women should maintain a stable daily rhythm by going to sleep before 11pm, eating meals at regular times and exercising for at least 150 minutes a week.

Phuong Thuy