Workaholism and Five signs you are a workaholic
Workaholism and Five signs you are a workaholic
Workaholism is considered a problem of the 21st century although it has been prevalent for a much longer time. Some people are called “a workaholic”. This is dangerous. It is okay to be a hard worker but it is definitely not okay to be addicted to work. Any addiction has its own side-effects and workaholism is no exception. The crucial side-effect of workaholism is sleep deprivation.
What is workaholism?
Psychologist Wayne Oates was the person who coined the word “workaholic” in the early 70s. He described it as the “compulsion or uncontrollable need to work incessantly.”
In modern times, being a workaholic is often regarded in a positive manner. People who are addicted to work are regarded as hard workers and are praised a lot but it is a dangerous sign. Workaholics are addicted to their work and feel a compulsion to work even when they have to compromise health, personal relationships, and their social lives. A feeling of guilt arises in their minds when they do not work and they immediately find ways to keep themselves occupied with work. Workaholism leads to high levels of stress, psychosomatic symptoms, and an increased risk of heart problems. Workaholism is not a diagnosable ailment but it is undoubtedly a serious issue which can have an intense impact on the person suffering from it. Workaholism makes the person pursue praise and rewards at workplace. All other issues in their lives will take a backseat including personal interests, relationships, and even health.
Causes for work addiction
According to Dr. Melissa Clark, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, there are four main causes for overwork. The following are the four main categories:
- Motivational: Workaholics feel pressured to get things done. This is not the case with general people who are engaged in their respective work. Workaholics feel a compulsion towards their work.
- Cognitive: Workaholics get obsessed with a tendency to fixate when work does not get done. This causes excessive stress.
- Emotional: Workaholics may be so emotionally attached to their work that they can experience anxiety or feeling of guilt whey they are not working.
- Behavioral: Workaholics choose to perform more than what is expected of them by their managers or seniors.
The reason for people with workaholic tendencies may be a vent to suppressed emotions, struggles etc. Some toxic work environment can also be cause of workaholism in people. A study by Dr. Clark and her colleagues revealed that workaholism was related to higher feelings of guilt, anxiety, anger, and even disappointment at both work and home.
Side-Effects of workaholism
Research shows that workaholism can have very deep negative effects on the well-being of a person. Workaholics can experience mental and physical health issues, low job satisfaction and low satisfaction towards family life as well. Workaholics can experience higher levels of systolic blood pressure which can lead to real physical repercussions on the body.
Headaches, fatigue, indigestion, sleep deprivation, and difficulty concentrating are other issues that a workaholic may face. These definitely will decrease performance at work. It will also lead to work not being completed on time and can even lead to not being able to complete even basic tasks on time.
Five signs you are a workaholic:
Amy Morin, a psychotherapist discusses the difference between hard work and workaholism and gives some of the most common symptoms of workaholics.
The following are the five common traits that would help one tell whether he or she is struggling with workaholism:
1. You spend your free time thinking about work.
If you find it difficult to take time off from work without you mind thinking about work all the time, it is a sure sign that you might be addicted to work.
2. You are constantly working overtime.
If you are constantly doing late night shifts than anyone else in the office and if you are working late nights consistently, then it means you are overworking yourself.
3. You have been asked by your superiors to cut down on the number of working hours you are putting in.
If your managers have asked you to reduce the number of your working hours, then it means you are having an issue.
4. You neglect spending time with your near and dear ones to be working in office.
If you find it difficult to spend time with your loves ones without your mind drifting back to office and your work, it means you are a workaholic. This is a common symptom faced by workaholics.
5. You are not able to enjoy or prioritize leisure activities but think of work instead.
If you find that your favorite hobbies or leisure activities fail to bring you happiness or joy because of your mind fixed at work, then it is high time you sought guidance.
Sleep tips for workaholics
If you are a workaholic and you need a healthier relationship with your work, it is important you pay more attention towards having sufficient rest. A good and quality night’s sleep can help in mood balance. It can help you keep focused and energetic throughout the day and help in performing better.
So how to develop sleep hygiene that helps workaholics.
A few sleep tips that would help you achieve better sleep and also help in resting without having guilty feelings are given below.
Invest in the most comfortable bed you can for your sleep:
If you have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep, it is important for you to invest in a mattress that you look forward eagerly to get into every night. To get the most comfortable mattress for your sleep, think about where you tend to have the most trouble. For example, if you are a stuffy sleeper, a cooling mattress would be the solution. If you are a workaholic you tend to be hunched over the screen and this does not help your back one bit. If this be the case, you would need a mattress focusing on pressure relief so that you get a proper positioning of your back throughout the night.
Keep your phone and other work reminding objects out of your bedroom
Going through your done work before getting into bed is not a good sign. The blue light that emits from your screen can actually keep your brain alert thus hindering the production of melatonin. This disrupts your sleep cycle a great deal.
For quality night sleep and good discipline over your home-work boundaries the best thing would be is to keep all work-reminding objects out of your bedroom so that there is the feeling that your bedroom is wholly and solely your place of rest.
Set a bedtime and stick to the routine:
Your body has an internal clock. This is called the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm tells your brain when it is time to produce melatonin. This is what keeps you alert throughout the day. If you have problem going to sleep at the same time every night because of your work, then the circadian rhythm gets confused thus causing disruption and in your sleep pattern.
So always try to stick to the same time every night to get to sleep in so that your body has a set routine. This will help you to prioritize sleep thus helping you to be focused throughout the week and help you work better.
Set a to-do list to see your intention for the day:
To get quality sleep through the night, it is important that you set goals for the day, this should be the first thing in the morning. This helps you to have a smooth, hassle-free day. If you are a workaholic, there is every chance that you keep adding to your task list constantly thus causing havoc. So always set goals for the day and try to stick to them as far as possible. This will allow you to have a peaceful working day till the end of the day.
Be strict with setting goals with regards to your work if you think you are a workaholic. Always prioritize getting important things done first and more importantly having enough time for you to relax properly towards the end of the day’s work.
Conclusion:
Whichever way, decide to buy yourself a new, comfortable mattress which can get you a good night’s sleep.
We are used to being hard workers which is the reason that makes it hard to recognize when we are crossing the limits and going over to the unhealthy way of working (becoming a workaholic). If you are not sure whether you are finding it difficult with the tendency of workaholism, then question yourself whether you feel fulfilled or you are stressed by your work. If the answer is “you are stressed”, then you have to spend some time learning how to take rest. That begins with investing in a comfortable mattress. A good sleep is necessary to keep your work worries away and a good mattress helps a lot. Your health, your well-being, and your work, will thank you for it.
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