Victorians called burnout ‘overwork’ — and they cured it by holidaying in France

In a recent opinion piece, BusinessWorld explores the parallels between modern burnout and the Victorian concept of 'overwork.' The article notes that while the term 'burnout' feels contemporary, the Victorians also struggled with the consequences of excessive labor and found remedies in travel and rest.

Victorians diagnosed with 'overwork' were often prescribed a complete change of scenery, particularly through extended holidays in France. The article highlights how such retreats were seen as a cure for mental exhaustion, emphasizing the value of disconnecting from work routines long before the digital age.

The piece draws a direct line to today's burnout epidemic, suggesting that the Victorian approach of intentional rest and travel may offer lessons for modern workers. It underscores that the underlying issue of overwork is not new, only the label has changed.