MY BURNOUT – AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

Andrea Mettenberger Owner of verRückte impulse

Andrea Mettenberger, an entrepreneur, talks about her burnout and her journey back to health. A personal account of responsibility, being overwhelmed and the realisation of just how much our working environment, expectations and habits affect our health. But before we delve into this personal account, an obvious question arises.

WHAT DOES AN OFFICE FURNITURE MANUFACTURER HAVE TO DO WITH BURNOUT?

At first glance, not much. Burnout isn't caused by a desk, a chair or a working environment. And yet, workplaces shape the majority of our daily lives. They influence how people work, how focused they are and whether it is possible to relax during the working day.

These figures make it clear that mental health is a key issue in the world of work. As a manufacturer of office furniture, we design working environments that shape the day-to-day working experience. We know that spaces alone cannot prevent burnout. However, they can help to foster a focused, healthy and people-centred way of working. That is precisely why this issue is important to us.

In the following personal account, Andrea Mettenberger explains how burnout develops gradually, which warning signs are often overlooked, and what lessons she has learnt from this experience for her own life and work.

POWERED FOR YEARS UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN

I can't bring myself to get up or have a shower. It's all too much – physically and mentally. My mind is blank and yet restless at the same time. And there's this question: "What on earth is wrong with me?"

Today I know: the burnout built up over years. I wanted to function – as an entrepreneur and as someone who had everything under control. In doing so, I kept pushing my own limits further and further.

My days were packed, and even when they were over, my mind kept working. I'd replay conversations in my head, second-guess decisions and wonder what I might have overlooked.

"I'll manage it."

That phrase sustained me for a long time and drove me on at the same time. My sleep got progressively worse. Sometimes I'd wake up every two hours; I hardly ever got any deep sleep. I became more sensitive and less resilient, yet I still tried to carry on functioning. Until I couldn't anymore. Then came the panic attacks, heart palpitations, tremors and a constant inner restlessness.

BURNOUT USUALLY DEVELOPS IN A GRADUAL MANNER

Not everyone affected experiences the same symptoms. Warning signs can vary in severity.

FINDING HELP WAS HARDER THAN I HAD THOUGHT

When it became clear that things couldn't go on like this, I sought help. I went to the doctor, was prescribed medication, booked coaching sessions and tried to find a place on a therapy programme. It was a sobering experience: waiting lists, rejections, no replies. And there I was, right in the middle of it all – drained of energy and unable to think clearly. Even simple things like making phone calls became a struggle. I wanted to make a change, yet at the same time I barely had the energy to do so. With a bit of luck, five and a half weeks later I got a place at a clinic.

Right from the first consultation, I had the feeling: here, someone knows exactly what's happening to me right now. But what happened next surprised even me: on the day I arrived at the clinic, my symptoms suddenly disappeared. I had energy again, I could laugh, and I was actually asked: "Why are you actually here?"
I could hardly explain it myself.

On the second weekend, I went home as part of what's known as the 'everyday life trial'. And as soon as I stepped into my flat, it was all back: the trembling, the minor panic attacks, the restlessness. At that moment, it dawned on me: It's not just about resting. It's about making changes.

KEY FINDINGS

The real work began at the clinic. I started to take a fresh look at myself – at my expectations, my sense of responsibility and the inner pressure to have to manage everything on my own.

One of the most important insights has stayed with me to this day: I don't have to prove to anyone that I'm successful.

At the same time, I realised that many things carry on even when I'm not there myself. My company ran smoothly for three months without me. As a trainer and coach in particular, something else was important to me. I guide people through processes of change and help them develop new perspectives. And yet I, too, had to learn to accept help. Today, I see no contradiction in this. On the contrary.
On the road to recovery, it was the simple things that helped me most: conversations, exercise and cycling. Step by step, stability returned.

BACK TO EVERYDAY LIFE

Back to everyday life, nothing was the same as before. At first, it felt as though I were standing on ice, slipping here and there. I had to rediscover my own rhythm and learn to keep allowing myself breaks. During my ongoing therapy, it became even clearer to me how much I tend to overthink things and how important it is for me to set boundaries.

Even today, there are moments when old patterns resurface. The difference is: I recognise them sooner and can make more conscious decisions about how to deal with them. My body is now one of my most important indicators. Sometimes it still signals this with a tremor – especially in my head, as if it were saying 'no'. That used to frighten me. Now I know: that's my warning sign. Then it's time to put on the brakes.

Looking back, I don't see a single breakdown, but rather many small warning signs that I overlooked for too long.

WHY WORKPLACES ARE IMPORTANT

Mental health is never determined by a single factor. What matters is the interplay between corporate culture, leadership, work organisation and the working environment.

An office does not prevent burnout. However, working environments can influence how people work, concentrate and recharge their batteries from time to time. Studies show that natural light, quiet spaces, opportunities for physical activity and social interaction can promote well-being and healthy working practices.

That is precisely why, as a manufacturer of office furniture, we are addressing this issue. We are convinced that good working environments must not only be functional, but must also put people at the centre.

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