Are You Working Too Much?
By Sara Butler
Do you feel as if your job is consuming your life? If so, you’re not alone. Regularly working more than 40 hours a week can start to have an impact on your life quick. But the work hours you’re putting in aren’t the only thing that can cause problems for your health and well-being. A long commute, a toxic work environment, not being satisfied with your job, and other responsibilities outside of work can all lead to burnout. Sometimes when things get overwhelming, you cope in unhealthy ways. Here are some red flags that you may be working too much and it’s becoming a problem for your health.
You Drink to Relieve Stress
When you work a lot, it increases your risk of turning to alcohol for relaxation. If you’re drinking more than 14 drinks a week as a woman or 21 as a man, then that's considered risky behavior associated with alcohol.
Instead of turning to alcohol to relax, try to use downtime when you can to re-center and reenergize. When you’re in the car on the way home, use the time to listen to a podcast you love, play your favorite songs, or listen to an audiobook. You need to relax in healthy ways, without alcohol.
You’re Not As Productive
If you’ve increased the hours you work but aren’t seeing results, then the long hours are probably zapping our productivity instead of spurring it. Studies have shown that people who work 70 hours per week don’t really get more work done than their peers who work significantly less. You can’t be productive every minute of the day.
If you want to try to increase productivity at the office, then make a list. Having a list to check things off can help you to feel less overwhelmed and focus on one task at a time. You may be surprised how something so simple can produce much better results!
You’re Feeling Down
If you’re only living for the days you don’t have to be at work and feel down when you think about returning to the office, then working so much may be taking a toll on your mental health.
To try to combat this, focus on just one thing at a time. Take time to meditate and re-center yourself so you can stop from feeling overwhelmed. You may want to talk to your doctor and work with a therapist to help you deal with the feelings you’re having.
You may not be able to cut down on your hours, but you can change your perspective. Recognize the ways in which work is draining you and take steps to address it!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Woodland Hills, Calif.