Many of us take pride and glorify overworking and a never-ending to-do list. We completely immerse ourselves in our jobs and almost robotically move from one task to another generally creating more work along the way. We don’t stop to think about if our lifestyle is sustainable let alone what effect it would be having on our physical and mental health.
There are so many signs that we are overworking physically and mentally that we tend to ignore so here bring some to your attention!
- You sleep poorly. This may be being overtired, disrupted sleep, inability to sleep or switch off. You may be experiencing daytime fatigue.
- Your eating patterns are all over the place. You might not eat until 11am or miss a few meals and end up eating most food before bed. You struggle being able to tell when you’re hungry or not.
- You may be neglecting your relationships and not putting crucial time and effort into your loved ones. You may notice your relationships declining around you.
- You turn to drugs or alcohol more frequently.
- You feel depressed, anxious, lonely, or emotionally unfulfilled. You may find yourself often in a bad mood, feeling down or distracted and not able to concentrate.
- Your heart is also working too hard! You may not notice but when you’re stressed and overworking your body releases a hormone Cortisol which puts strain on your heart, increasing your risk of heart related conditions.
- You weaken your immune system meaning you’re more susceptible to getting sick often.
How do we take a beat and interrupt this tendence to push beyond healthy means?
Here are some suggestions for how you can begin to break this cycle and adopt a healthier way of working.
- Set boundaries. With yourself and others, including work. Boundaries will empower you to have clearer lines between home and work and find some enjoyment in life outside of your to-do list. Boundaries will also help you to feel clearer on your task at hand and feel more accomplished when complete.
- Set a routine. Find a routine that works FOR you and serves you, including setting time aside to read, or exercise or simply go for a walk.
- Let go of the guilt. Some people naturally tend to feel they need to complete everything all at once otherwise they simply aren’t doing enough and feel guilty. It’s okay to prioritise yourself and remember you don’t have to people-please. By choosing yourself you will be a happier better person for yourself and those around you.
- Remember to socialise. Get out, talk to people that make you smile and forget to check your emails on your phone. Remember that there is more to life than work and that its OKAY to enjoy it!
