‘Two to three hours of my day and life would just go missing’: Anshula Kapoor’s honest confession about dissociation at work

She admitted that this resulted from focusing too much on her work as an entrepreneur. “I was putting my health literally in position number 20, in my checklist,” adding that “when my health was suffering, when I was binge eating, or I was just not looking after myself, I didn’t care. The minute I thought it’s going to start affecting my work, I immediately called up my therapist.”

Kapoor’s experience sheds light on a common but often overlooked phenomenon — dissociation at work. Many people experience similar episodes of mental detachment, which can stem from a combination of psychological stress and physical exhaustion. 

Psychological factors contribute to dissociation at work

Gurleen Baruah, organizational psychologist and existential therapist at That Culture Thing, says, “Dissociation at work, where hours seem to vanish, or tasks feel like a haze, often stems from a mix of psychological and physical strain. Fatigue, burnout, and constant overworking without breaks push the brain into a survival mode, where it detaches to cope with the overload. Perfectionism can amplify this, creating an endless cycle of striving without rest, leaving no room for the nervous system to reset.”

Neglecting health — like skipping meals, losing sleep, or sidelining movement — further fuels this disconnection. The body sends subtle signals of distress, but when ignored, these can manifest as zoning out or feeling detached. Emotionally, it can stem from suppressing stress or difficult feelings, where the mind escapes because staying present feels overwhelming.

The mind, overwhelmed by stress and fatigue, prioritises survival over memory retention. (Source: Freepik)

How does physical health impact the likelihood of zoning out during work hours?

Baruah informs that lack of sleep and chronic stress without proper rest create a perfect storm for “emotional dysregulation, where the brain struggles to manage its responses effectively.” This often leads to what’s known as an ‘amygdala hijack,’ where the brain’s emotional centre takes over, keeping the mind in a heightened state of stress for extended periods. Over time, this becomes unsustainable, as the body and mind can only endure so much without resetting.

As for Anshula’s experience of losing track of 2-3 hours, Baruah adds that while a complete memory blackout might be uncommon, selective memory loss can occur. “This happens when someone operates in autopilot mode — going through motions without actively engaging. The mind, overwhelmed by stress and fatigue, prioritises survival over memory retention. So, while the hours may not entirely disappear, they can feel like a blur due to the brain’s inability to process and store those moments meaningfully.”

The solution

Baruah asserts that it’s crucial to integrate practices that nourish both the mind and body to stay present and focused while managing high-stress or heavy workloads. “Taking regular breaks and slowing down intentionally can help reset the nervous system, making it easier to tackle tasks with clarity.” 

Incorporating mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing or short meditations, helps anchor the mind in the present moment, while physical activities like stretching, yoga, or even a brisk walk release essential chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which are vital for thriving. 

Baruah mentions, “Equally important is generating positive emotions through small victories — achieving even modest goals can trigger dopamine, the reward chemical.”