Ringover

Workaholism: when does it become a problem?

For many people, work is more than a source of income. When excessive time and effort is invested in work tasks and there is a lack of interest in other activities, such as leisure, family, sports or friends, we could be dealing with a case of work addiction. This phenomenon is affecting more and more individuals and the fact that it is socially accepted prevents, on many occasions, to remedy it. According to data provided by Ringover.es, 5% of Spaniards are addicted to work, a figure that is on the rise. 

1. What is workaholism

Workaholism is a compulsive behavior pattern characterized by an excessive dedication to work and a difficulty to disconnect from work responsibilities even outside working hours. 

People who suffer from this addiction tend to prioritize their work over other areas of their lives, sacrificing their health, personal relationships and leisure activities in favor of fulfilling their work responsibilities. 

2. Causes of workaholism

Work addiction can have multiple causes derived from personal, social and work factors, the experts at Ringover.es show some of them:  

• Work Pressure

Highly competitive and demanding work environments can generate a sense of constant urgency, leading workers to feel the need to spend more time than necessary at work in order to excel or keep their position.

• Perfectionism

Perfectionists may experience internal pressure to achieve the highest standards in their work, which can result in long hours of effort and obsessive dedication.

• Self-esteem and validation

For some people, job success is a source of self-esteem and personal validation. They tend to be professionals who constantly seek recognition and admiration through their work performance, which leads to overwork to maintain that perception of success.

• Lack of personal and work boundaries

Lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life can make it difficult to disconnect from work activity, prolonging work even after hours.

• Lack of coping strategies

Some people turn to work as a way to cope with stress, anxiety or other emotional blocks. In these cases, it serves as a distraction or a way to avoid facing underlying problems, which develops a pattern of excessive and addictive work.

• Fear of failure

Fear of disappointing others may drive some people to work tirelessly.

3. Symptoms of work addiction

Workaholism manifests itself through a series of symptoms that can vary in intensity from one person to another. These are some of the most common ones:

• Obsession

The person is constantly thinking about his or her work, even outside working hours. May experience difficulty switching off and relaxing, as his or her mind is occupied with work responsibilities.

• Prioritization of work over everything else

A workaholic tends to prioritize their work responsibilities over everything else, including their health, loved ones and leisure time.

• Denial of problems

These individuals may deny or minimize the effects that workaholism has on their lives, such as health problems, chronic stress, or deteriorating interpersonal relationships.

• Constant need for achievement

• Sometimes these professionals have a constant need to excel at work in order to feel satisfied with themselves.

• Deterioration of personal relationships

• Excessive work negatively affects personal relationships, as the person dedicates little time and energy to their loved ones.

• Health problems

• Overwork can result in physical and mental health problems, such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression or cardiovascular problems.

• Reduced work performance

Although it may seem paradoxical, overworking does not necessarily lead to increased performance, as the person experiences exhaustion and lack of concentration, which affects their productivity and work performance.

4. How to treat this addiction

This problem requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Ringover.com experts suggest the following strategies:

• Recognizing the problem: the first step in overcoming work addiction is recognizing that there is a problem. 

• Setting boundaries: The next logical step is to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This may include defining specific work schedules, learning to say "no" to additional tasks, and setting aside time for rest or leisure.

• Seeking professional support: A therapist can help identify and address the underlying causes of addiction.

• Practicing self-care: encourage healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, quality time with loved ones and hobbies that encourage relaxation and provide stress relief.

• Re-evaluation of priorities: reflect on personal and work priorities to identify what is really important in life and set realistic and achievable goals. 

• Establishing healthy routines: try to get a minimum number of hours of sleep to improve quality of life.

• Learning to delegate: relying on others reduces the workload and achieves a better balance between work and personal life.

• Practice mindfulness: yoga, meditation and mindfulness help reduce stress and improve the ability to face work challenges effectively.

Author: Patricia Mampel

Head of Brand and Content for Ringover in Spain

By opencomunicacion.com