“What surprises me most is “Man” because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; The result being he doesn’t live in the present or the future; He lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.” – Dalai Lama

A long quote from the Dalai Lama, but one that is very much worth thinking about in a time when a threat we cannot see – but do know about – has led to far too many people not seeing the tomorrows that they assumed they would.

Yet long before the current pandemic that was always the case; no-one’s future is guaranteed, there is always the possibility that a bus around the corner will end your dreams rather than take you to your destination…

Which brings me to the subject of deliberate overwork.

Have you ever considered the detrimental effects of overworking on your life and productivity? For most, not working hard is not an option. If you want to keep bread on the table and advance your career, it’s a must. There is, however, such a thing as overworking.

It’s something we are all guilty of. Perhaps a deadline is approaching quickly, or you simply need to work more hours this week. Every now and then might easily become every week and every weekend. Before you realize it, a culture of overworking oneself has developed, which can lead to burnout on a regular basis.

Employees, bosses, and entrepreneurs all face the issue of overworking. Working too hard on a regular basis for an extended length of time can result in serious sickness or death. Overworking on a regular basis makes you much less effective, according to studies. Employees that are overburdened by their workload are less productive at work. You may be inclined to work all the time if you are self-employed. But that may often mean the work you do is not your best work at all.

How Does Overworking Affect Your Life?

Overworking leaves you with little time to reflect on what is going on in your life. Working too hard on a consistent basis can have a detrimental impact on your health, relationships, contentment, and overall quality of life.

When you work longer hours on a daily basis, there is a strong possibility you are not eating well, which can lead to health problems. Some individuals are so focused on their work that it becomes too much for them to handle, and they become unable to cope with the stress. As a result, work becomes a bad addiction as well as a source of dissatisfaction.

People who are overworked are also unlikely to get enough exercise or take enough breaks, which can lead to long-term mental and physical health issues.

Working too hard for an extended length of time can lead to a variety of health issues, including depression, excessive stress, high blood pressure, infertility, migraines, diabetes, allergies, heavy drinking, and memory impairment.

Overwork Deprives You of Restorative Sleep

Sleep deprivation occurs when you work long hours at the office or at home. It can increase stress levels and cause you to be excessively anxious. Working longer hours on a daily basis causes fatigue, stress, and depression, all of which can disrupt your sleep.

Sleep deprivation makes you more susceptible to illness. Sleep deprivation over an extended period of time can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and memory loss.

Overworking also frequently results in a range of mental and physical health issues.

Those who work long hours on a regular basis are at a significantly higher risk of having cardiac problems than those who do not. If you do not give yourself adequate time to rest between work sessions, your productivity will suffer.

When you do not give your mind and body adequate time to rest, via sleep, you run the danger of developing a variety of mental and physical health issues.

Anxiety, anger/bad mood, depression, poor sleep, tension/migraine headaches, exhaustion, lack of concentration, frustration, and feeling stuck are common symptoms of mental and physical health problems induced by overworking.

Overworking’s Effects on Your Personal Life

Overworking usually entails foregoing personal time in order to spend more time at work, resulting in less time with your partner, children, family, and friends. It takes time for your relationships with family and friends to blossom. Family is a top priority for most people I know. Or so they say. However, this is not always reflected in how they spend their time.

Sure, we all have to work, but when you are overworked, you may not be able to spend time with your loved ones in the evenings or on weekends. This also applies to the ability to take a trip with family and slow down.

Working long hours, on the whole, implies you will have less quality time to spend with the people that matter to you. And as I mentioned earlier, no one’s time on Earth is guaranteed, so is that extra hour at the office really worth missing out on family/personal interactions that may never happen again?

How Does Overworking Affect Your Productivity?

Working long hours per week for a brief period of time can be advantageous to your business, but if you or your staff continue to work too hard, e.g., 50-70 hours per week for months on end, productivity will suffer.

Overworking is detrimental to your business since it reduces productivity. Overworking has been linked to lower productivity in numerous studies. All of these suggest that when we work 40 hours per week, we are more productive than when we work 50 to 60 hours or more per week.

As a result, it is critical to limit your working hours throughout the workweek in order to improve your productivity and general job quality.

How to Stop Working Too Much…

Seriously

Now that you know how overworking affects your life and productivity, it’s time to discuss how to break free from this obsessive practice.

Boost Your Earnings and Cut Your Expenses

Overworking often results in less sleep and more errors, but the primary motive for working longer hours is to earn more money.

We all need money to cover certain bills and put money aside for the future. To avoid overworking and all the negative consequences that come with it, set a goal to gradually raise your income. You can do this by acquiring a higher-paying job or by getting raises and promotions.

I understand that this is easier said than done, and that increasing your income may take longer. However, it is critical to put in the effort. You might even be able to discover something to do on the side to make more money in less time.

I also advocate considering your budget and looking for ways to cut costs. If you could boost your monthly income by $500 while lowering your monthly costs by $500, you would have $1,000 in your pocket each month. This can lead to the elimination of the impulse to toil too hard.

Accept Help

Stop attempting to handle everything on your own. It isn’t possible. Therefore, most jobs require the use of teams. Lean on your coworkers for support and be honest with your boss about your capabilities.

Consider employing a virtual assistant or someone who can help you with a time-consuming work if you are self-employed. I understand that this will cost money, but it will be well worth it if it allows you to be more productive and grow your business.

If you are serious about growing your company, do not be hesitant to invest in it. You will also avoid some of the side effects of overworking, which are directly linked to how it harms your health.

Summary: How Does Overworking Affect Your Life and Productivity?

If you stay productive, working harder than usual – putting in those extra hours every now and again when its essential can be gratifying. Overworking, on the other hand, may be harmful to both your health and your business if it becomes a habit. Overworking all the time leads to a skewed work-life balance, which has dire consequences for your life and productivity. And will rob you of time, experiences, and the chance to interact with others that you will never get back.