Three Signs You May be a Work Addict

Being dedicated and passionate about your job are good qualities to have, but there is a distinction between having a strong work ethic and being a workaholic. Pulling long hours and clocking over-time is considered by many to be the modern mark of success. However, for some, the need to work comes at the expense of everything else: health, relationships, and even work quality.

So where should you draw the line? If you find yourself guilty of any of the below, you might just be addicted to your work.

FIRST ONE TO WORK, LAST ONE TO LEAVE
We’ve all heard the phrase, “the early bird gets the worm,” but sometimes being early to work has negative repercussions, especially if it’s a consistent habit. While arriving to work first has its benefits (more time and less distractions), it is often the first sign that you are a workaholic. If you seem to always arrive ten minutes early, try stopping at the local coffee shop or taking an extra walk around the block instead of heading straight into the office. This will improve your mental health and serve as a reward for arriving early, instead of making you stressed about your workload.

Also, being the first to work and the last to leave can open the door for your colleagues to take you for granted. It’s important to give yourself some breathing room and learn what a work buffer can do for you.

YOU WORK THROUGH THE LUNCH HOUR, EVERY LUNCH HOUR
Everyone works through lunch at some point throughout their career. Having a heavy workload or struggling to meet a deadline are reasonable excuses to skip your lunch, but consistently not taking that hour away from your desk could be just the thing wearing you thin. It’s important to take your lunch break as often as you can to fuel your body and improve your concentration. Studies show only one in five employees report taking a lunch break during the week. If you think you might be a work addict, try forcing yourself to take some time off.

Even if you don’t go to lunch, you can use this time to re-fuel and re-energize for the afternoon. Get outside of your work environment and tailor your lunch break to your needs.

YOU GET STRESSED WHEN YOUR AREN'T AT WORK
It’s normal to think about work when you're at home. Working late night hours to meet a deadline is necessary sometimes, but always thinking and working when you aren’t in the office can create a bad habit that will affect your health and your relationships. Turning your job switch off when you’re at home or on vacation may be difficult, but it is necessary.

These are the times when you can take a break from the stress causing you constant tension. For many, this overhanging worry can cause unwanted mood swings and anxiety. When you can disengage from your workload, you're better able relieve any stress and focus on your personal life. Ultimately, this switch should get you one step closer to achieving that happy work-life balance.

Feeling like you’re overworking doesn’t have to be your normal. If you feel like you're drowning in your work and constantly experience anxiety about your job, it’s time to get help. If you are unsure where to start in combatting the workaholic in you, try pinpointing the reasons you think you might be a work addict and focus on finding a solution to that cause. This will create a better foundation moving forward and will increase your work success in the long run.