Burnout isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a growing reality, especially in tech. Recent studies suggest that nearly 2 out of 5 tech professionals experience burnout, and a CIO survey shows that over 40% of IT workers are feeling the heat.

With breakthroughs emerging almost daily—especially in AI—the tech landscape is accelerating faster than ever. As innovation races ahead, so does the pressure on tech professionals to keep up. In this sprint, balance and well‑being often slip unnoticed to the bottom of our priorities.

In this post, we asked members of our team how they manage stress, stay balanced, and avoid burnout while working in tech. Their insights are honest, personal, and might just be what you need to hear today.

Q1: Have you ever experienced burnout in your role? If so, what were the signs that made you realize it?

Belema (UI/UX Designer, On-site): Yes. I usually start feeling uninspired and disconnected from work I normally enjoy. I find myself cringing at tasks I’d usually be excited about.

Anita (Social Media Manager, On-site): Yes. Burnout for me feels like nothing I do is working, even when I’m giving it my all.

Felix (Creative Designer, On-site): YES. For me, it’s very physical. My eyes start to itch. That’s usually my cue.

Ruth (Software Engineer, Remote): Yes, It usually comes as this feeling of being intensely stressed out where I can’t seem to get anything done—at work or in my personal life.

“I find myself cringing at tasks I’d usually be excited about.”
— Belema

Q2: Do you believe work-life balance in tech is realistic? What does that look like for you personally?

Anita: Honestly, I transitioned into tech quite recently, and with how fast-paced everything is, work-life balance doesn’t seem realistic to me at the moment. But who knows? I’m hopeful that might change soon.

Felix: Yes, it’s definitely realistic. I believe I’m responsible for creating that balance for myself.

Belema: It’s possible, but you have to be intentional. For me, it means setting boundaries and not measuring my self-worth by how ‘productive’ I am.

Ruth: Yes, it’s possible. I stick to my 9–5 and avoid work on weekends—but it wasn’t always easy. Working remotely blurs the lines, so I had to be intentional about drawing them.

“Working remotely blurs the lines, so I had to be intentional about drawing them.”
— Ruth

Q3: What are your go-to methods for resetting or recharging after a stressful day or week?

Anita: Sleep and quality time talking with loved ones—that combo always helps me reset.

Felix: I usually take a nap, go for a walk, or unwind with a good movie.

Belema: Honestly, just stepping away from screens works wonders. I take walks, listen to music, catch up with friends, or see a movie—rest makes a big difference.

Ruth: I shut down most of my devices and either rest or head out to clear my head.

Q4: If someone new to tech asked for advice on avoiding burnout, what would you tell them?

Anita: Burnout is something you’ll likely experience especially as a newbie in this industry, but it can be managed. The key is understanding the root cause and being intentional about addressing it.

Felix: We all have 24 hours—use yours wisely. Make time for work, but also make time to recharge.

Belema: Pace yourself. You don’t have to learn or do everything at once. Build routines that include rest and fun, say no when needed, and ask for help. Above all, remember you’re human first.

Ruth: Take your time and don’t forget to rest. It’s okay to shut down your devices and fully disconnect sometimes.

“Burnout is something you’ll likely experience, but it can be managed. The key is understanding the root cause.”
— Anita

Final Thoughts

A huge thank you to my teammates for sharing their honest and thoughtful responses. It’s not always easy to talk about stress and burnout—especially in an industry that often glorifies constant productivity—so I deeply appreciate their openness.

From all the conversations, one message stood out clearly: being intentional is key. Whether it’s setting boundaries, building routines that include rest, or recognizing when to pause, avoiding burnout isn’t about waiting for a crash—it’s about noticing the signs early and taking action.

So if you’re already feeling the weight of stress creeping in, let this be your gentle reminder: it’s okay to step back. In fact, resting might just be the most productive thing you can do right now.

Want more behind-the-scenes moments from our team? Check out our other articles for more stories, insights, and reflections from life at Aptiw.

Day In The Life Of A UI/UX Designer
How To Master Tech Skills While Balancing A Full-Time Job

Until next time,

Ciao!