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Brazil faces persistent fatigue and burnout despite rest, new neuroscience insights reveal
In 2025 more than 546,000 Brazilian workers were granted sick leave for mental‑health disorders, with anxiety, depression and burnout identified as the leading drivers. Specialists explain that many people remain in a physiological state of alert even after sleeping, vacationing or taking breaks, preventing true recovery. Psychologist and neuroscience expert Vanessa Queiroz says the body must first feel safe before it can switch from effort to recuperation.
The modern work environment – tight deadlines, constant notifications, financial pressures and prolonged hours – keeps the nervous system activated, similar to a physical threat response. This chronic hyper‑arousal can impair brain function and overall health.
A related study highlights the digital overload contributing to the problem: Brazilians spend an average of 91 hours per week online, equivalent to 41 years of continuous screen time, while global data traffic exceeds 40 trillion gigabytes daily. The unchecked flow of information fuels the burnout syndrome, especially among health, technology, journalism and public‑service professionals.
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Global digital data traffic exceeds 40 trillion gigabytes daily, with 2.2 million terabytes generated each day. pt.aleteia.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] Recovery from chronic stress requires the organism to recognize a state of safety before it can switch to rest mode. namidia.com.br · cenariomt.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Anxiety, depression and burnout are among the main causes of the increase in mental‑health leave. namidia.com.br · cenariomt.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 546,000 Brazilian workers required sick leave for mental‑health disorders in 2025. namidia.com.br · cenariomt.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Modern work pressures such as tight deadlines, information overload and constant notifications keep the nervous system in a state of alert. namidia.com.br · cenariomt.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brazilian adults spend an average of 91 hours per week online, equivalent to 41 years of lifetime screen time. pt.aleteia.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Burnout syndrome is strongly linked to constant digital connectivity, especially among health, technology, journalism and public‑service workers. pt.aleteia.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] People can remain physiologically alert despite getting sufficient sleep or taking vacations, leading to persistent fatigue. namidia.com.br · cenariomt.com.br