As much as it is important to work hard and get things done, it is also crucial to monitor the amount of workload you put on yourself. Being productive does not always mean working long hours, this is according to the Monitask blog.
In your defence, you might say that you have a lot of things to accomplish between school, your job, house responsibilities, and having other people depending on you. You might think to yourself that relaxing is a waste of time, this is not a healthy way of living and in the long run, it messes with your physical and mental health.
It might also happen that you are overworking and unaware of it.
Here are symptoms that indicate this:
Weak immune system: The publication mentioned above states that working too much could damage the immune system and increase the likelihood of getting sick. “The stress of long hours at work causes your body to produce cortisol, which suppresses the immune system. This makes it easier for you to catch a cold or other common illness.”
Fatigue: According to Zapier, when you are overworked you start feeling physically or emotionally exhausted, you may stop exercising, increase sleep, or engage in distractions to avoid your thoughts.
Insomnia: The above source also states that you struggle to go to sleep or remain asleep, and you frequently dream about work, sometimes, or often, such dreams are nightmares.
Decreased level of productivity: As mentioned before, long hours don’t determine productivity and the Forbes publication agrees. “That’s because you spread yourself so thin that it becomes difficult to focus properly on any task.” The publication believes that overwork may also negatively affect your family life by making it difficult to fulfil your responsibilities and objectives.
Procrastination: According to Forbes, “When you find yourself scrolling through Instagram or online shopping during the day as your deadlines loom closer, it could be a sign of overwork.” This source explains that one coping strategy we use when we have too much on our plate is procrastination, but even while it might feel like a pleasant diversion, if you fall behind on your tasks, it can ultimately cause even more stress.
Unclear goals: Better Up claims that a lack of clear goals and responsibilities can lead to confusion and overwork, as teams with poor leadership lack clear priorities, deadlines, and initiative roles, causing unnecessary stress.
Also see: How to avoid burnout in the workplace
