Expat burnout is real, and it’s on the rise

As pandemic anxiety starts to take a step back now that vaccination rates are high and Covid-related measures have been lifted, a study shows that a stress endemic might be on the rise among expats specifically - as a result of overworking, burnout and a social disconnection.??

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Almost all (90%) of the 12,000 expats in global health insurance provider Cigna's study reported that they were stressed, compared to a 77% average between people living in their home countries. The study surveyed expats living in 15 countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.?

“Always on”

The biggest cause of stress among expats, 98% of respondents said, is burnout, driven by feeling unable to disconnect from work. This was also evident in another report earlier this year by technology company Kisi found expat-hub Dubai to be the most overworked city among major global hubs, with 23% of full-time employees working more than 48 hours per work week.?

This should not come as a surprise, but should push employers to do better. “The companies that will be growing in the future will be the ones who truly care for their employees as a whole person.” commented Adam Zargar , founder of UAE Coaching. “The companies that will hire wellness professionals either full time or for x numbers of hours a month to support their employees. It's a cost that will turn into added value for the forward thinking companies,” he wrote.

Another factor employers need to keep in mind is that professionals are now aware of the pressure working abroad entails. The Cigna report shows that 73% of expats have been re-evaluating their priorities since the pandemic, especially the consequences of being away from social connections.?

A continuous state of “social distancing”

Expat burnout is also a result of being away from supportive social circles, 86% feel detached or alone. The desire to be closer to family is the number one priority for long-term expats who have been living abroad for more than five years (which makes up 57% of those in the UAE and 45% in Saudi Arabia), even above the motive of finding a job, according to the report.?

Relocating and leaving family behind can also complicate social life. In countries where a large segment of the population become expats abroad to find better opportunities, long-distance relationships were pointed at as a contributing factor in marriage breakdown.?

Check out tips LinkedIn members are sharing to avoid feeling disconnected when working alone here .

How to mitigate burnout?

Whenever emerging from a cycle of burnout is a question, “boundaries” come up as the answer. Learning to say no is crucial in protecting your mental health, whether that means sticking to your calendar, blocking break times, or saying no to a task, Fast Company says.?

Next comes making self-care a priority. Taking time off or asking for help are not antidotes to being “busy,” both can exist at the same time and will help lift some of the pressure, suggest InterNations writers.???

Have more tips on how to face expat burnout? Something you have previously found helpful? Share them in the comments below.?

Check out what LinkedIn members in MENA are talking about:?

• Why isn’t mental health care part of more insurance coverage plans in the Middle East? See what people are saying here .?
• With business travel back in the mix, how are professionals feeling about it now? And will companies replacing the usual business-class bookings with economy change their minds about it?
• Solo and remote work are increasingly being linked with feelings of social isolation and loneliness. LinkedIn members shared their recommendations on how to combat such feelings of disconnection.
• Nearly three-quarters of professionals in the Middle East would consider quitting their jobs and shifting careers. Would you ever consider a career shift ?