Separating your work life from your personal might be difficult. Experts tell Lisa Antao how to cope with workaholism
In today's fast-paced and stressful life, we are constantly working harder, longer and faster to achieve success in our careers. Our desire to earn more money, to rise higher in our work organisation, to acquire more recognition and appreciation has transformed some of us into workaholics. And unfortunately today workaholism has become a socially acceptable form of addiction.
We spend more hours in office than at home, with family and friends. We barely eat, sleep, relax and socialise as we are obsessed about our work. Our efforts to accomplish loads of work in a minuscule amount of time has begun to affect our mental and physical health and social life, even before we realise it. Therefore, its high-time that we begin to deal with this problem.
Who is a workaholic?
Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Veena Chakravarthy says "A workaholic is someone who is addicted to his work. They feel they are the best suited to finish a particular job because of their need for perfection. They cannot relax and do not prioritise anything apart from work."
Seema Hingorrany, clinical psychologist and trauma therapist, says that workaholics often spend many extra hours at work, and often taking work home to complete. For a true workaholic, work becomes a compulsion and possibly even an obsession. A workaholic may or may not find fulfilment through work, but feels compelled to perform nonetheless. Workaholics often justify their obsessive work habits by claiming that all of those long hours spent at the office are all for their families.
How and Why does one slip into being a workaholic?
There are many reasons as to why a person becomes a alcoholic. Chakravarthy believes that workaholism is an addiction. People slip into this due to fear, poor self esteem, fear of failure, losing a job, trying to be perfect, work demands, frustration, stress etc. Sometimes, personal issues, difficult situations, unresolved issues etc. can lead a person to becoming a workaholic.
In order to achieve something, and the need to do something worthwhile and result oriented, workaholics put all their energies to their work and eventually become a workaholic. With their result-oriented approach, they deliver what is expected of them and are often rewarded for the same, encouraging them to work more, leading them to stay glued to work. And unfortunately it becomes a vicious cycle.
Rachna Kothari, psychologist cites the following reasons like financial growth, fame and recognition, materialistic desires, belief that work is worship. Also lack of interest and growth in other areas - say interpersonal relationships makes them ignore their personal life and in turn focus more on work.
Harmful Effects
The negative effects of workaholism can be felt on mental and physical health and social life too. "Stress, frustration, depression, loneliness, anger, memory blank outs, unable to enjoy anything. Workaholics are so used to working that they do not enjoy anything other than work" adds Chakravarthy citing the effects on mental health. Regarding effects on physical health, Hingorrany says an increased risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, chronic pain and a weakened immune system.
As for effects on social health Kothari says "Workaholics are unable to maintain healthy relationships, they have broken interpersonal relationships, ineffective communication, lack of interest and participation in social recreational activities. Also they are unable to spend quality time with their spouses. They don't have time for fun, time to laugh, time to meditate... there's nothing that they do that can revive or unwind them after the heavy duty work hours."
How to cope with it?
Acceptance that you are a workaholic is the first step towards treating the problem. Kothari says that workaholism, just like alcoholism softly impairs the functioning of an individual. One shouldn't be so consumed in work that you fail to enjoy the little pleasures of life. It is imperative to strike a healthy and reasonable balance between your work and leisure. That's because only when you relax and unwind, will you gather the energy and enthusiasm to work efficiently. Both are inter-dependent. And productivity will be at it's supreme best, if the balance between the work and play is sought.
Hingorrany shares the following tips:
Slow down
Force yourself to reclaim your personal life. Schedule dates with your friends and partner or spouse. Call family members just to say a quick hello or share an idea during the middle of the day. Plan social outings in advance and treat those commitments as seriously as you would a business meeting. Working hard is great, but one needs to be able to turn if off and savour the other parts of your life - friends, family, hobbies, and fun.
Start an accomplishment journal
At the end of each day, jot down one thing that you feel good about having accomplished at your job and one thing you feel good about having done for yourself or with friends or family. Reading this diary can help you figure out what is making you happy and what isn't.
Make time to relax
Since workaholics are so detail-oriented and focused, they should schedule time off to relax. Just lying out on the beach and doing nothing is not the best way for a workaholic to relax, because he or she needs something to distract his mind from thoughts about work. It's much more helpful to plan some activities, and it's recommended that these be compulsory or paid for in advance so that the workaholic will be less tempted to skip out and do work.
Seek professional help
Counselling is often recommended for workaholics. Here psychologists will help a workaholic to pinpoint their irrational belief systems and help make progress.
Are you a workaholic?
Here are the following symptoms of workaholism:
- Workaholics feel troubled when they do not work
- They find it hard to relax because they are never fully present in any environment other than the work environment.
- Their home is their second office
- They can be very controlling as they can't delegate work and are not usually interested in being team players. They would rather handle everything themselves
- They are perfectionists and nothing is ever good enough for them.
- They have no free time for themselves, family and friends
- They are under the illusion that people will like them more if they appear more competent than they actually are.
- They think sleeping and recreational activities is a waste of time
- All their conversations steer about work topics, They will often steer every conversation back to their work.
- They often justify their obsessive work habits by claiming that all of those long hours spent at the office are all for their families.
In today's fast-paced and stressful life, we are constantly working harder, longer and faster to achieve success in our careers. Our desire to earn more money, to rise higher in our work organisation, to acquire more recognition and appreciation has transformed some of us into workaholics. And unfortunately today workaholism has become a socially acceptable form of addiction.
We spend more hours in office than at home, with family and friends. We barely eat, sleep, relax and socialise as we are obsessed about our work. Our efforts to accomplish loads of work in a minuscule amount of time has begun to affect our mental and physical health and social life, even before we realise it. Therefore, its high-time that we begin to deal with this problem.
Who is a workaholic?
Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Veena Chakravarthy says "A workaholic is someone who is addicted to his work. They feel they are the best suited to finish a particular job because of their need for perfection. They cannot relax and do not prioritise anything apart from work."
Seema Hingorrany, clinical psychologist and trauma therapist, says that workaholics often spend many extra hours at work, and often taking work home to complete. For a true workaholic, work becomes a compulsion and possibly even an obsession. A workaholic may or may not find fulfilment through work, but feels compelled to perform nonetheless. Workaholics often justify their obsessive work habits by claiming that all of those long hours spent at the office are all for their families.
How and Why does one slip into being a workaholic?
There are many reasons as to why a person becomes a alcoholic. Chakravarthy believes that workaholism is an addiction. People slip into this due to fear, poor self esteem, fear of failure, losing a job, trying to be perfect, work demands, frustration, stress etc. Sometimes, personal issues, difficult situations, unresolved issues etc. can lead a person to becoming a workaholic.
In order to achieve something, and the need to do something worthwhile and result oriented, workaholics put all their energies to their work and eventually become a workaholic. With their result-oriented approach, they deliver what is expected of them and are often rewarded for the same, encouraging them to work more, leading them to stay glued to work. And unfortunately it becomes a vicious cycle.
Rachna Kothari, psychologist cites the following reasons like financial growth, fame and recognition, materialistic desires, belief that work is worship. Also lack of interest and growth in other areas - say interpersonal relationships makes them ignore their personal life and in turn focus more on work.
Harmful Effects
The negative effects of workaholism can be felt on mental and physical health and social life too. "Stress, frustration, depression, loneliness, anger, memory blank outs, unable to enjoy anything. Workaholics are so used to working that they do not enjoy anything other than work" adds Chakravarthy citing the effects on mental health. Regarding effects on physical health, Hingorrany says an increased risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, chronic pain and a weakened immune system.
As for effects on social health Kothari says "Workaholics are unable to maintain healthy relationships, they have broken interpersonal relationships, ineffective communication, lack of interest and participation in social recreational activities. Also they are unable to spend quality time with their spouses. They don't have time for fun, time to laugh, time to meditate... there's nothing that they do that can revive or unwind them after the heavy duty work hours."
How to cope with it?
Acceptance that you are a workaholic is the first step towards treating the problem. Kothari says that workaholism, just like alcoholism softly impairs the functioning of an individual. One shouldn't be so consumed in work that you fail to enjoy the little pleasures of life. It is imperative to strike a healthy and reasonable balance between your work and leisure. That's because only when you relax and unwind, will you gather the energy and enthusiasm to work efficiently. Both are inter-dependent. And productivity will be at it's supreme best, if the balance between the work and play is sought.
Hingorrany shares the following tips:
Slow down
Force yourself to reclaim your personal life. Schedule dates with your friends and partner or spouse. Call family members just to say a quick hello or share an idea during the middle of the day. Plan social outings in advance and treat those commitments as seriously as you would a business meeting. Working hard is great, but one needs to be able to turn if off and savour the other parts of your life - friends, family, hobbies, and fun.
Start an accomplishment journal
At the end of each day, jot down one thing that you feel good about having accomplished at your job and one thing you feel good about having done for yourself or with friends or family. Reading this diary can help you figure out what is making you happy and what isn't.
Make time to relax
Since workaholics are so detail-oriented and focused, they should schedule time off to relax. Just lying out on the beach and doing nothing is not the best way for a workaholic to relax, because he or she needs something to distract his mind from thoughts about work. It's much more helpful to plan some activities, and it's recommended that these be compulsory or paid for in advance so that the workaholic will be less tempted to skip out and do work.
Seek professional help
Counselling is often recommended for workaholics. Here psychologists will help a workaholic to pinpoint their irrational belief systems and help make progress.
Are you a workaholic?
Here are the following symptoms of workaholism:
- Workaholics feel troubled when they do not work
- They find it hard to relax because they are never fully present in any environment other than the work environment.
- Their home is their second office
- They can be very controlling as they can't delegate work and are not usually interested in being team players. They would rather handle everything themselves
- They are perfectionists and nothing is ever good enough for them.
- They have no free time for themselves, family and friends
- They are under the illusion that people will like them more if they appear more competent than they actually are.
- They think sleeping and recreational activities is a waste of time
- All their conversations steer about work topics, They will often steer every conversation back to their work.
- They often justify their obsessive work habits by claiming that all of those long hours spent at the office are all for their families.
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