A survey of 2,000 office employees found one in six regularly spends more than 11 hours a week working when they are away from the office making calls and checking emails.
The study proves that a third of Brits check their work-related as soon they wake up, and 16% can’t even enjoy a meal without checking emails.
Not only that, but half say they enjoy their work while the rest, 65%, hate the fact they’re regularly taking it home with them.
Strangely, just 3% of those polled leave on time every day- and don’t need to take extra hour hours.
Working on weekends, never taking a lunch break, and always being the last to leave the office were identified as signs of a workaholic.
Feeling anxious about not working, ignoring the family, and seeing the boss more than a partner also features in this list.
What is Workaholism?
The term “workaholism” was first invented in 1971 by an American doctor and psychiatrist Wayne. E Oates in his work: Confessions of a Workaholic: The Facts About Work Addiction. According to Oates, workaholism is “the compulsion or uncontrollable need to work incessantly.”
According to that, workaholics are usually referred to as “work addicts” or “who work compulsively.” Still, there has been little empirical research (and an agreement is yet to be made) about what exactly it would mean to call someone a workaholic- therefore, there is still not a clear workaholic definition.
Even so, studies have aimed to further explain the term. Here are the top 20 signs of a workaholic according to mental health experts:
- Working on weekends.
- Skipping a lunch break (to work more)
- Always being the last to leave the office
- Can’t stop checking emails even when at home
- Waking in the night thinking about work
- Always carrying your work laptop with you.
- Always being the first in the office
- Checking your email in the middle of the night
- Never ignoring calls from customers, even in personal time
- Keeping in touch with your colleagues on your day off to check everything is ok
- Feeling uneasy and anxious when not working
- Never ignoring a call from the CEO, even in personal time
- Ignoring those around you when they are talking to you because you are working
- Your spouse regularly accuses you of working all the time
- Frequently missing the kid’s parents evening and sports days.
- Waking early before your alarm clock working about the day ahead
- Working even when watching your kids at their various clubs or sports
- Seeing your boss more than you see your partner
- Offering to cover for colleagues when it isn’t your turn to work
The survey also found a third of Brits believe they would be considered workaholics by others. More than a third check their email as soon as they wake up -with 54% taking a short preview across the weekend and 30% checking them throughout the night.
Brits find it difficult to relax. Not because they don’t want to, but because they place a lot of pressure on themselves, which can oftentimes translate into an unwarranted feeling that they should always be busy.
To tackle this, mental health pros realized that relaxation could be found even when you feel at your busiest, and it’s important for everyone to have time for it.
The question is, how do I find time to relax when schedules are so chaotic and so much is expected of us?
CBD – Scientifically Proven to Ease Work-Related Stress
A 2019 study had difficult sleepers take CBD before bed. One month later, 67% were frequently getting a better night’s sleep.
That’s mostly because CBD supports our endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, also referred to as the “rest- and digest system.” It’s stimulated when you practice deep breathing or meditate and counteracts the fight-or-flight response, allowing your body and mind to settle.
Cannabinoids or CBD help put us in a state of relaxation, which is much necessary for drifting off to sleep. Researchers know CBD has a balancing effect on our body; therefore, if a person is sleep-deprived or overly stressed, it’ll help the nod off and even improve occasional anxiety.
CBD connoisseurs agree Organic CBD Nugs and CBD tinctures are a viable option to help ease anxiety and support better sleep. The biggest challenge is that it’s hard to know if the formula you’re purchasing is effective and potent. The smartest move is to buy from trustworthy brands.
Meditate and Yoga – Release Tension
Your collective posture is changing as you turn toward your devices. Tech neck is a real issue now, and carpal tunnel is affecting more younger people than ever. Workaholics may feel it the worst.
Meditation and Yoga together are meant to work on how your body reacts to being a tech editor, a workaholic, or, really, just being an individual in the modern world.
While meditation can focus the mind and calm the nervous system, Yoga can free up the muscular tension accumulated throughout the day. The idea here is to release tension both from the mind and body.
Have a Device Detox – To Get More in Touch with Yourself
Technology can be like quicksand, challenging to escape, and sticky. Haven’t you got hooked after one article and stayed for another article, share, or comment?
Spending time away from electronic devices and social media removed the pressure from being always connected.
The thing is, you could do it all in an instance and cut yourself for a few days, but make sure to notice those around you if they don’t hear from you. If that’s not possible, you can always disconnect for a few hours daily, for instance, before bedtime.
Remind yourself that relaxation can be possible on a daily basis and try to live each day reaching for this. You can work hard but strive harder to find some time for your other interests.