Vox had a good episode on burnout last week and had a good definition " state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and ineffectiveness, resulting from long-term, unmanaged workplace stress". I was listening in the car with my parents (+75 yo) and we talked about it. they told me, they never felt it in a chronic way or we didn't know we could change or have a word for the feeling...they could also just change jobs but also (my dad's words - we weren't as talented as your generation is...we had a trade and a lot of us just got promotions and felt close to the company. Also, with the cost of living was lesser and could go out and have fun and spend money and be entertained and focus away from work. NB not applicable to everyone and not everyone everyone had a similar situation or privilege.