As smartphones and modern technology mean more of us work “outside of work hours”, work addiction is becoming a serious problem for some.
Whether you isolate yourself from friends and family or neglect vital self-care, it may be time to ask yourself if YOU are a ‘workaholic’.
As Sherwood screenwriter James Graham opened up about joining ‘Workaholics Anonymous’ for his ‘addiction’, MailOnline looks at the common signs that you too are addicted to your job.
Workaholics will use the hours they have to sleep to complete work-related tasks (Stock photo)
Lying to loved ones
Lying to friends and family about ‘stupid’ things like what time you wake up in the morning or whether or not you’ve eaten could mean you’re addicted to work but are too embarrassed to admit it.
Neglect of self-care
Working hard and achieving goals can be an important act of self-care.
But if you neglect daily tasks such as eating, showering and sleeping in this way, it could mean that you are a workaholic.
Those who are addicted to work will spend the hours they should be spending sleeping, completing work-related tasks or moving forward with projects.
Workaholics may also neglect healthy activities such as cooking and exercising, or choose easy junk food options instead of proper meals.
Sabotaging relationships
Whether romantic or platonic, relationships can take a huge hit if they aren’t given the time and energy to nurture them.
Workaholics tend to put work tasks above the people they love, often canceling plans to stay longer in the office or return to projects when they get home.
Low self-esteem and problems with intimacy
As screenwriter James Graham explained, too much of a workaholic’s sense of self-worth comes from their work life – leading to difficulties with relationships and intimacy.
If your self-esteem and validation comes primarily from success at work, your overall perception of yourself can drop dramatically if things don’t go so well professionally.
“All my self-esteem, all my affirmation, all my happiness and joy came from my work, and I didn’t allow myself to believe there was room for anything else,” Graham explained.
If you are the first person in the office and the last to leave, it could mean that you are a workaholic (Stock photo)
Not dressed properly
If you’re too busy rushing to be the first in the office to iron your clothes or check the weather forecast, it could mean you’re a workaholic.
For example, if you forget to wear a coat in the middle of winter, it could mean that you are too absorbed in work to think ahead.
Intense fear of failure
If you constantly feel anxious about your work performance or put in extra hours for fear of failure, it could mean that you have become a workaholic.
The inability to switch off after a stressful day at work and the fear of not performing well enough can eat away at a person’s mental health.
Being the first to arrive and the last to leave
If you find that you are the first person to arrive at the office every morning but still the last to leave, it could mean that you are spending too much time at work and not enough time tending to other important aspects of your life.
Multitasking
If you are constantly working on several tasks at once, it may mean that you have become too dependent on your job.
Thinking about work while doing other things
If you think about work while driving, spending time with friends, or falling asleep, it could mean that you are overthinking it.