Why ‘Always-Available’ is the Next Well-Being Burden!
The silent alarm has gone off. The ‘Always-Available’ generation of corporate India is on the verge of a mental health crisis! But are we ready to log-off yet? Asks Nona Walia
Are you constantly available for work? Do you never ‘switch off’ or have personal me-time? There’s a huge mental health crisis as a result of being ‘Always On, Always-Available Online’.
This is the latest Wellness crisis in the corporate world. The mental health of corporate India, even those working in remote and hybrid work models, has quietly witnessed a dangerous epidemic— in work culture with flexible hours, and “work from anywhere”: the inability to log off. Even in hybrid models of work, you are expected to be always on call. The stress doesn’t allow you to switch off and relax. The pressure is always high.
According to a recent LinkedIn India Work Trends report (2024), 74% of Indian professionals admit they feel “constantly available” because of the blurred boundaries between office and personal life. What was once touted as the freedom of hybrid work has turned into an “always-on” trap.
On the Edge: Anticipatory Stress
You are at home and always thinking about work. For India’s Gen Z and Millennial workers—this is turning into a mental health crisis. A 2024 Deloitte India survey revealed that 76% of these young professionals report symptoms of burnout. Many struggle with “anticipatory stress”. It’s leaving people edgy, on a lookout for distress calls, emails and whatsapp messages from bosses anytime, anywhere.
As India celebrates Yoga day, inner well-being has become a casualty of this digital work culture. The mind is burdened and tired. It’s always ticking.
Despite India celebrating yogic mindset, mindfulness, and inner focus, its tech-driven cities are becoming hubs of restless minds.
In India’s economic hubs—Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad—this has resulted in rising cases of anxiety, depression, and stress. Wellness practitioners warn that this “always-on” culture is unsustainable. Digital boundaries are now non-negotiable. Dr Aninda Sidhana, psychiatrist, member of International Mental Health Association says, “I see every day how the pressure to be “always-on” and available actually hurts the mental health & is toxic .One of my clients said, “My body is home, but my mind is still in the boardroom. I feel like a phone that’s constantly searching for a signal, never truly going into sleep mode. I’m utterly drained.”
We are not able to switch off and how will we be able to switch on completely. So in this quest of being available always one is not available to detach from work. This lack of real rest pushes people towards burnout.”
Everyone needs a ‘zen space’ to ‘log off’ and feel mindful. Organisations need to build a “right to disconnect” that respects personal time.
If ignored, the cost will not just be personal burnout—it will be the biggest crisis of the decade in personal wellness. At the end of a long day, Availability is not Productivity.
So, log off, switch off, disconnect to reconnect more powerfully!
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