The Signs of Overworking and How to Take It Easy

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author/source: Felicia Gomez

Photo of Overworking by Elisa Ventur on UnsplashMany people work without really thinking about their own health. They commute to work every day, do their job as best they can, and then go home to restart it all again tomorrow. The daily grind can become monotonous, but it can even lead to problems like neglecting our own health. This is mainly because we understand that we have to work in order to make a living, but as a result of this, we often forget about the signs of overworking.

So in this post, we’re going to talk about the signs of overworking and how you can learn to take it easy while still maintaining a good work-life balance.

Recognizing the signs of overworking

  • You’re feeling fatigued all the time. Feeling tired all the time is a common sign of being overworked. Getting a good night’s sleep can help prevent this.
  • You find it hard to concentrate. If you’re struggling to concentrate at work, especially when you’re at the tail end of the workday, then it’s probably due to overworking.
  • You feel isolated from friends and family members. Overworking typically means that you spend less time with your friends and family members. This can lead to isolation which hurts your mental health.
  • You’re neglecting your own health and hygiene. Whether it’s skipping showers at night or ignoring a nasty cough, it’s common for overworked people to neglect their own health and hygiene.

If you experience any of these symptoms, then it’s a good idea to take a good look at your work-life balance and find ways to relax.

Photo Courtesy of Max Van DenHow to stop pushing yourself

Firstly, make sure you don’t ignore the signs of overworking. Whether it’s an injury or illness, learn to take breaks now and then. Use your weekends to relax and try not to plan too many things throughout the week as it can get really tiring. Spend some alone time now and then, and learn to appreciate the art of doing nothing.

You also shouldn’t ignore when your personal health is getting really bad. People sometimes ignore their illnesses and conditions, choosing to “brave it out” and just work despite feeling absolutely awful. This is never a good sign and you should immediately take a break.

It’s worth addressing the issue too. Seek an injury lawyer if you’ve been in an accident to take off the financial pressure of being unable to work, or consider taking paid sick days off if available so that you can relax at home without fearing for your finances.

Another good option for self-employed individuals is to set realistic goals. Don’t go overboard when it comes to setting targets for the week. Lower your expectations so that you don’t need to push yourself to achieve those goals. This also has the side effect of giving you a nice motivational boost when you exceed them.

It can be difficult to break out of that constant grind mindset, but it’s important for maintaining a good work-life balance. Every now and then, it’s a good idea to take some time off and just let your body relax.