Is Your Job Taking Over Your Life?

Most workers have to clock in overtime at some point in their careers, and they do so for a variety of reasons. It could be because of a big project with a tight deadline, the desire to make time-and-a-half pay or the nature of the job. Others work long hours just because they are workaholics. Yet if you’re finding yourself working late into the evening most nights, you may be harming your health.

According to a British study — which looked a more than 2,000 middle-aged British workers for an average of nearly six years — employees who work at least 11 hours per day were up to 2.43 times more likely to experience depression compared with those who worked between seven and eight hours a day.

Warning signs

The following signs mean your job may be taking over your life

1. A whole week goes by and you have no conversation or contact with anyone who isn’t related to a work issue or errand (for example pizza delivery guy and dry cleaner).


2. You spend zero time outdoors except for your commute to work or other work-related events.


3. You can’t remember the last time you worked out, took an exercise class or even took a walk.


4. You dread vacations, since it just means you’ll have to work even more before you depart or when you come back to get caught up. You may even cancel vacations, just to avoid behind.

What you can do about it

Aim for balance: When you work too much, it can throw your entire personal life out of whack, too. Now is the time to be an advocate for yourself and your needs. Drink lots of water, get enough sleep, make an effort to eat healthy foods and squeeze in some exercise.

Take a break: Take a midday break. If you can’t take a full hour to sit in the sun or take a walk, schedule two 15-minute breaks where you go out of the office to do something completely unrelated to the office. Call a friend, Listen to your iPod or browse a book store.

Put the phone down: Workers should put themselves on a ‘data diet’. You do not need to be connected to your job and the whole world every second. Schedule your social media time. Let co-workers know that you intend to focus and devote total attention to projects.

Speak up: Your manager or leadership in your organisation should be supportive of creating a balanced work environment for you. If you aren’t getting the support from your boss, speak with someone in human resources to discuss how you can get a better handle on your workload and work hours. — Agencies