Clockwork!
No social outings, no workouts, no time for the family and no time for yourself. It's lacklustre. The sparkle in life disappears when you have nothing to look forward to, nothing but your work to think about. Workaholism has reached epidemic proportions and its alarming repercussions can turn "Karoshi' (Japanese for death and suicide from overwork) for Bangladeshis too.
With technology hooking up home, the possibility of working round the clock is just about annihilating the home experience.
Too much of a good thing
Workaholism is seen to be the "cleanest of all addictions", but getting hooked does not imply that the climb up the corporate ladder is any faster. Work can be addictive, especially if you are not too keen on socialising or you just want an escape from mundane home life.
The trend followed by IT professionals, lawyers, business analysts, doctors and persons in the service industry is working round the clock and the 9-9 regime is the bare minimum. Those who don't comply are either left behind or called 'losers'.
Employers cash in on this and reward such employees- albeit temporarily, the debilitating effects are however more far-reaching. The dangers are obvious- compulsive overwork can kill. The milder repercussions include estranged family relationships and health complications.
Reality bites
Find out if you are one too:
- You take work home regularly
- Smart devices like laptops and cellphones travel with you on vacations because you want to hook up to the office.
- You shun all social activity and you feel it's inconsequential
- Your relationships have taken a beating because you don't measure up.
- Your health is in a run-down state and you take notice only when it is unbearable.
Ways to break out of it
Overstep overdose.
Try to limit your office hours to a maximum of 8-10 hours and don't waste time during the peak hours of the day. Take it off on weekends and holidays and spend time with your family. You need to devote one full hour a day to the prime relationship of your life. The warmth of developing human relationships can be therapeutic!
Pleasurable pass-times
Have time for trivial pursuits. Curl up with a "Chicken soup for the soul' series while you have your favourite instrumental record playing. Develop new skills and hidden talents, and make them a regular feature.
Work wonders
While at work take a breather every now and then when you get all steamed up. Get a drink of water, give your eyes some rest and take a few deep breaths.
Health hazards
You wouldn't want to be associated with disorders like insomnia, blood pressure, hypertension, carpel-tunnel syndrome, migraine, ulcers etc you should exercise regularly and take care to see that you don't overwork.
Few progressive companies who have realised that much cannot be achieved from overwork do not encourage it. Whatever be the attitude of your employer make sure you enjoy a fair share of life and you won't live to regret it later!
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