Workaholism: When enthusiasm for work turns into addiction
How to recognise the symptoms of workaholism early and how to fight and prevent the disorder? Having a job that is fulfilling, meaningful and makes us happy is a rare thing indeed. There’s nothing better than coming to work feeling excited and not wanting to leave. The problem comes, however, when work becomes too much to handle and instead of being a way to fulfil ourselves, it traps us in never-ending duties and tasks. Are you a victim of workaholism too?
In the article you will learn:
The meaning of the term workaholism is a constant need to work. It is not an addiction to a substance, but it manifests itself in the same way – an inability to stop a certain kind of behaviour. As in the case of substance abuse, work addicts achieve a blissful feeling resulting from the fulfilment of this need, which makes them repeat the same kind of behaviour so that the pleasurable feeling is repeated over and over again. The workaholic, the person with a constant urge to work, cannot stop this morbid behaviour, even though it has negative consequences for his physical and mental health or personal life. For a workaholic, work is the meaning of life, with family or hobbies always taking second place.
Addiction like any other
Work addiction often stems from a compulsive need to achieve success or a certain status, but for many it is also a way to escape unpleasant emotions or stress. It is typical especially for perfectionists or people who have high and often unrealistic expectations of themselves and others.
Although work-related addiction is often described as a serious problem, it is not classified as an occupational disease in Slovakia. In some cultures, workaholism is seen as a normal engagement and instead of prevention, such a person is praised and rewarded.
Another reason why work addiction is increasingly overlooked is that even excessive work is often seen as a positive rather than a problem. Many employers welcome people working long hours with high commitment with open arms and even praise them for it. So-called workaholics are sometimes perceived in a rather positive light, even though their behaviour interferes with their lives and can affect them negatively.
How to recognize work addiction in time
Typical symptoms signalling workaholism are:
- obsession with work and success,
- intense fear of failure at work,
- excessive fears and worries about performance at work,
- defensive attitude and making excuses of excessive work,
- experiencing strong negative feelings,
- avoidance of dealing with other problems (family crisis, relationship problems) or using work as an escape from a life crisis or trauma, etc.
Do you think about work before going to sleep or do you even dream about it? Do you get very irritated when someone interrupts you when you’re working on something you haven’t finished? These are common signs of workaholism. Although many of these symptoms are easy to spot, they are very difficult for the workaholic to admit. Such a person is usually unaware of their actions and often explains their morbid behaviour as necessary or required. Moreover, in the current post-pandemic situation, there is a risk of workaholism, especially during home office, when some of us tend to work all the time.
That’s why it’s also important to watch out for these signals that may indicate that our loved one is having problems with workaholism:
- more time spent at work than normal or planned,
- difficulties with falling asleep and lack of sleep due to workload,
- neglecting leisure activities because of work,
- isolation, etc.
As with any addiction, with workaholism it is important to be aware that we have a problem and that our behaviour is getting out of control. Not being afraid to turn to family and loved ones, talk openly about your difficulties and worries is not a sign of weakness, but a willingness to face your problem and work on it.
Don’t be ashamed to seek help
If possible, it is better to avoid addiction than to fight it. However, if you are noticing some signs or often listen to comments about your work dedication, it’s good to stop for a moment and think about whether you really don’t have a problem.
It is family and our close ones who can provide the help and support that we need although we often don’t realise it or we are too afraid to ask for it. Bad work habits and problems can be addressed with a professional, psychologist or coach, who can help us to look at the problem from multiple perspectives and understand why we behave and act in a certain way.
How to prevent work addiction
If you don’t suffer from workaholism but feel like you’re always thinking about work and can’t unwind, here are some tips that can help.
Digital detox is important
Digital devices can really exhaust us, especially when we tend to be online 24/7. If that’s the case for you, it’s time to change that. When you get home from work, instead of browsing the internet and social networks or watching TV, try to pay attention to the real world around you. Talk to your partner, play board or card games with the kids (no computer or video game consoles).
Simply make time for yourself by doing your favourite activity or doing something good for yourself. For specific tips on how to clean up your life with a digital detox, check out our article.
Practice mindfulness and calmness
There are many articles about meditation, the practice of mindfulness and its positive impact on our overall health, proving that it is worth incorporating into your daily routine. Meditating and practicing mindfulness needs some training, but after a few weeks it can help you with a busy mind. Our colleagues could also try meditation or “mindfulness” during the event Health Awareness Month at msg life which helped them to leave the hustle and bustle of work and relax for a while.
Health as a priority
Throughout life our priorities change, but our relationship with ourselves and our health should remain at the forefront. We have to remember that we can only work productively and creatively for a certain amount of time, which we can’t regain without rest and a healthy lifestyle.
Workaholics, according to one Norwegian scientific study, have a higher chance of having to cope with a certain mental illness. In particular, they are at increased risk of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), anxiety and even depression. Emotional problems can come with extreme work addiction.
So if you notice that you value your work achievements more than you value yourself and your health, you are probably at risk of being diagnosed with workaholism. Fatigue, headaches and sleep disorder are also warning signs. In the second stage, anxiety, high blood pressure and eventually heart failure or stroke can join them.
Several studies have shown that people who make health a priority – eat healthy, take breaks, take time off and get plenty of exercise – have more energy and concentrate better. This is then reflected in their performance. Let us therefore be kind to our body, mind and ourselves. Let’s give our body healthy food, plenty of exercise and sleep, and let’s not forget to be respectful towards it. The first results will be visible soon. There is and always will be only one health. Therefore, let us not underestimate the risks.
Don’t skip breaks at work
Taking breaks during working hours has a beneficial effect on mental well-being as well as on concentration. Short regular breaks promote productivity and work efficiency. In our article on procrastination you will learn about the Pomodoro technique. It recommends dividing your work into shorter sections, for example 25 minutes long, followed by a five-minute break. During the break put your phone down, take a walk, make a coffee and talk to your colleagues.
At msg life Slovakia we support the mental health of our colleagues. They can relax during a massage, for example, or they can go to our relaxation area where they can relax from work stress in a hammock or on a swing. We know that for people working in an office behind a computer, the so-called. micro-breaks, so it is recommended to change the object of attention every 30 minutes, deepen your breathing, or look out the window for a few seconds.
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