Many people think working harder, staying late in the office, and starting earlier in the day are the keys to better work performance. However, pushing yourself too hard and too frequently results in tiredness and burnout, rather than productivity.
Studies show burnout is increasing, negatively impacting productivity and wellbeing. Yet, many businesses continue to encourage behaviours that push workers past their breaking point.
Here are three widely encouraged work practices that may appear commendable but become detrimental over time.
1. Always being online
Some people feel obligated to check their emails during dinner or reply to messages late at night, even after the workday is over. Often seen as dedication, this constant connectivity deprives employees of the opportunity to unplug and rejuvenate.
Eventually, the pressure to always be available will have a negative impacts on one’s mental health and wellbeing.
2. Constantly being in a state of focus
It is not feasible to expect someone to be completely focused all the time, day in and day out. In fact, after a few productive hours without breaks, focus starts to wane.
Those who maintain constant focus will eventually find that even easy tasks become challenging. This is an indication of mental exhaustion – which, sadly, could be mistaken for laziness.
Regular pauses can help reduce burnout, enhance concentration, and help reset the mind.
3. Saying ‘yes’ to everything
While it might seem like a good way to show initiative, being too accommodating at work frequently means compromising on personal boundaries.
It is possible to undermine one’s sense of balance and personal time by taking on too much, working late, and never saying no to assignments.
A lack of boundaries is a surefire way to burn out. Maintaining performance and safeguarding mental health depends on knowing when to say no.
Emotional strain, physical fallout
When burnout develops, emotional symptoms are often the first to appear. People may dread the beginning of the work week, feel overburdened by trivial problems, and depend on coffee to get through the day. They may appear calm on the surface, but pressure is building on the inside.
Severe mental health problems may result from ignoring these emotional changes. And not just that – prolonged stress has an impact on the body was well.
Those who are burnt out frequently complain of headaches, stomach issues or muscle aches, experience trouble sleeping, and feel exhausted even after resting. These indications are warning symptoms: long-term health issues and even medical emergencies could result from constant overwork.
Ultimately, while it is commendable to work hard, it is unproductive to work yourself to the point of burnout. Balance, which includes self awareness, rest, setting boundaries, and limiting workloads, is the key to true success.
This article was originally written by Anisa Aznan for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.
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