It’s true, no food for lazy person but there is a limit to the hours of work you should be putting in regularly otherwise, you become a workaholic and as a result, you get burned out and end up being unable to work. Being unable to work translates to being unable to make money. Lose lose for you, your wallet and, most importantly, your health. So, how do you know if you are a workaholic and how can you avoid being one or get out of being the one you are already?
Even though the term “workaholic” has been watered down, work addiction, or workaholism, is a real condition. People with this mental health condition are unable to stop putting in unnecessarily long hours at the office or obsessing over their work performance. While workaholics may use overwork as an escape from personal problems, workaholism can also damage relationships and physical and mental health.
According to clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, if you or your loved ones feel that work is consuming your life, it’s likely that you’re on the workaholism spectrum. Being able to identify the signs of work addiction is critical if you want to take the initial steps to make changes. While there are many ways workaholism develops, there are a few clear signs to be aware of:
– You routinely take work home with you.
– You often stay late at the office.
– You continually check email or texts while at home.
Additionally, Manly says that if time with family, exercise, healthy eating, or your social life begin to suffer as a result of a packed work schedule, it’s likely that you have some workaholic tendencies. You can find additional symptoms here. Researchers interested in finding out more about work addiction developed an instrument that measures the degree of workaholism: the Bergen Work Addiction Scale. It looks at seven basic criteria to identify work addiction:
– You think of how you can free up more time to work.
– You spend much more time working than initially intended.
– You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness, and depression.
– You’ve been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
– You become stressed if you’re prohibited from working.
– You deprioritize hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise because of your work.
– You work so much that it has hurt your health.
Answering “often” or “always” to at least four of these seven statements may suggest that you have work addiction. Knowing when it’s time to take a step back from work is difficult. But with the right guidance and support, you can minimize the negative impact of work stress and change your workaholic patterns. One of the first steps, according to Manly, is to take an objective look at your life needs and goals. See what and where you can pare down work to create a better balance.
You can also give yourself a reality check. “If work is negatively impacting your home life, friendships, or health, remember that no amount of money or career gain is worth sacrificing your key relationships or future health,” Manly says. And taking time for yourself is also important. Try setting aside 15 to 30 minutes every night to sit, reflect, meditate, or read.
