Are You A Stressed Out Workaholic?

May 30, 2009 Filed Under: Stress

I used to be a workaholic but then I saw the light when my health started to suffer and I got out in time ! My ex boss was and still is a workaholic – he is still alive -only just -and his wife does not see much of him!

I now work three days a week and am not exactly rich but I enjoy a stress free existence.Workaholism is like any addiction which is a human weakness. It is also an illness. The term workaholism should not be confused with hard work which is very strong in the Protestant ethos .

Leisure is idleness, toil is good and workaholism is the best ! When do you have to start worrying if you are a workaholic? It is when work becomes an obsession and the main, or only, driving force in your life ! It is rather like a fatal progressive disease and like any other addiction it gets a stronger and stronger hold.

‘Get a life’ is a common expression and really it should be on every workaholic’s desk! I had another boss who scouted the office occasionally to find staff working too long hours and would suggest that they go home ! He was able to demonstrate that he had time for his family and loved ones and that another life existed outside his company office.

How many companies do you know that have a workplace stress policy and actually put it into practice? Very few, I suspect and the sad fact is that workaholism is rewarded in companies and promotion is often the result. The problem for the company though, is that workaholism is an infectious disease and highly contagious. The management chain will demand more and more than is reasonable and productivity will suffer.

But workaholics are rewarded with faster promotion and higher income. A recent survey found that 38% of people with incomes over $100,000 describe themselves as workaholics compared to only 23% of people who made under $10,000 annually. They seek out the stressful highly paid jobs because they have a need to keep the adrenaline rush going. Relationships with colleagues are fraught, they shun collaboration and they are very poor at delegating.

Stress and workaholism go hand in hand. The workaholic will suffer from a range of stress related illnesses which can be anything from panic attacks, ulcers, burnout and high blood pressure. Depression will rear its ugly head and can sometimes result in suicide. The workaholic is more and more dependant on his adrenalin rush. The final result is often a fatal illness such as a heart attack or stroke.

The fall out on workaholics’ families is considerable. Those who are married to workaholics have higher divorce rates, greater rates of marital estrangement, fewer positive feelings about their marriage and feel less in control of their lives. Of course, the families of workaholics may gain by sharing in their consequently higher incomes but I begin to wonder if this is really a blessing.

Does all this sound familiar to you ? Maybe your stress is caused by workaholism or maybe you are being stressed out by a workaholic boss. It really is time to take this in hand before it takes you out and members of your family will take the brunt as well. Beat Stress Stop Workaholism Take time out To Rescue Yourself And Your Family. Visit this blog for Health Tips For Stress