Months spent staying at home and working from home has pushed some of us to our limit.  In the wake of a pandemic that has transformed work culture, experts say employees and managers need to become more aware of burn out risks.  Smart technology may be able to help.    The shift to remote working at the beginning of the pandemic was positive for many employees, while others have at least gotten used to the new working conditions.  But working from home has also had an effect on some people's mental health.    Some even end up headed for burn out, with women affected more than men.  "Studies show that it's often women who end up looking after the children in addition to their job when nurseries and schools are closed," says Franziska Stiegler, head of the Mental Health in the Working World Project at The New Quality of Work Initiative.  Single people are also at risk of getting burn out when working from home.  According to Stiegler, social exchange is important for emotional and mental balance.    When you don't see any point in working:  Many of those working from home complain that the boundaries between work and private life become blurred.  It becomes difficult to recharge one's batteries for things in your everyday life.  Those affected feel empty inside.  "They're exhausted all the time and have difficulty finding meaning or interest in their work," says Professor Eric Quintana from the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin, Germany.  In addition, according to Quintana, those suffering from burn out often doubt their ability to do their work well.  It's not uncommon for there to be a decline in performance.  Time to get professional help? -  When you find yourself increasingly saying or thinking "I can't do this any more, I don't want to do this", it's a good idea to seek professional help.  "The best thing you can do is take countermeasures as early as possible", says Stiegler.  " Contacting a counseling service and getting advice is also helpful," she says.  Quintana points out that people suffering from burn out should not be stigmatized.  "Burn out is not a sign that an employee is weaker, less resilient or underperforming than others."  Before you reach the point of Burn out, you can always try reminding yourself of tips for healthy remote working.  For example, it's important to have the right technical and ergonomic equipment.  Or to create clear routines, such as taking regular breaks, finishing work on time and making sure you get some exercise.  Quintana and his team are currently working on an algorithm that explores what factors may be related to burn out in different organisations.  "Our long-term goal is to develop an automated alert system that prevents Burn Out."    Article from ENOTEM, Inc.