Burnout's 18th-Century Roots in Agricultural Labor

A survey conducted in 2025 by Mental Health Research Canada and Canada Life revealed that almost 40% of employees in Canada frequently experience burnout. Although the term 'burnout' appears modern, its origins trace back much further. The Oxford English Dictionary attributes its first use to 1937, yet Arthur Young's 1771 travelogue, 'The Farmer's Tour Through the East of England,' recounts the experiences of farmers like William White, who faced burnout after losing his barn and incurring a loss of 100 pounds. Young also highlighted coal miner James Croft, who worked 20 hours daily with only four hours of sleep, suffering from 'inward complaints.' The World Health Organization recognized burnout as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress in 1990. Philosophers George Lakoff and Mark Johnson suggest that the metaphor 'workers are fuel' influences our understanding of labor, indicating that burnout stems from systemic issues in capitalism rather than just individual stress. The author's upcoming book, 'Whistling at the Plough,' advocates for a critical examination of these concepts. Promising temporary solutions, such as a four-day work week, have emerged from Australia.