Overwork and Happiness | Today’s Psychology

A negative impact on the workplace stressoverwork, and Burnout syndrome It is widely recognized by health professionals, employers and workers around the world. Decades the study Acknowledges both the need and many benefits of creating a healthy work/life balance.

Known Impacts

The impact of mental health of workplace stress and Burnout syndrome include depression, anxietyfeeling of isolation, decreased job satisfaction, and increased sense of disconnection from family and friends. Trouble physical symptoms of workplace stress and burnout include fatigue, high blood pressure, difficulty in focusing, irritability, dietary changes, and I’m sleeping Habits, headaches, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues.

Awkward new discoveries

It’s recently added to this pile of evidence study South Korea has raised a new warning bell about the effects of overwork on the brain. This study is set to determine the cognitive and emotional effects of overwork on 110 healthcare workers in two categories. The results reveal the effects of overwork on the brain itself. This study found that “…we found that overworked individuals showed significant changes in the associated brain regions. Execution function and Emotional regulation. ” Furthermore, the findings suggest that labor can affect cognitive and emotional health.

June 2025 Interview “This study is the first to investigate the relationship between long working hours and structural brain changes,” along with Fox News, a study co-author Dr. Wang Hyun Lee, who is an assistant professor at the School of Medicine at Chunggan University in Seoul.

In light of the troublesome discoveries, let’s look at what we can do to minimize the wounds and harms of our own lives to our own lives, in terms of the reality of work/life balance today and what we can do as employees — and what we can do to minimize the wounds and harms of our own lives.

Workers are increasingly prioritizing work/life balance

First off, good news! More and more, employees around the world are prioritizing healthy work/life balance. WorkMonitor 2025 of global HR consulting company Randstad Report Among 26,000 survey participants from 35 countries, there was a higher work/life balance, which is more important than wages.

For many employees, flexible post-pandemic workplaces can help improve work-life balance. Recent Gallup investigation In the US, 76% of full-time hybrid workers and 85% of remote workers report improved work-life balance as one of the biggest benefits of remote work.

Prevalence of overwork

Positive trends indicate an increase in healthy work/life balance levels, but new the study Moodle shows that 66% of US employees report experiencing burnout.

There are more. According to Pugh the studynearly half of American employees are not making the most of their allotted paid leave days. Another troubling workplace reality is that productive employees are often plagued by increased workloads. Individuals and teams who work effectively and efficiently to deliver excellent results It was rewarded Your workload is increasing.

Furthermore, people who are overworked are highly praised by others. Workaholic, a great addicta bestselling book from the 1990s by clinical psychologist Dr. Barbara Killinger. 48% of Americans reported laborer Who self-identifies as a labor holic (a widely used self-descriptor) struggling with deep-rooted issues that are not recognized or included in dsm5 Perfectionismnegative Self-conceptan early role model that pleases people Childhood Its modelled unhealthy work habits and values, the need for external validation, and the negative emotional, physical and social impacts of compulsive overwork.

Turning work into work for you

The key to creating and maintaining a healthy work/life balance is understanding what drives overwork in your life, as well as the priorities, strategies and actions you will get to manage workplace stressors and demands.

Six strategies to help you improve your work/life balance

As employees, there are things we can’t control and can’t do in our working lives. Here are six strategies that will help you identify what is in your control and how you can act with your greatest concerns!

build Consciousness About what drives the need to overwork.

work Smarter. Prioritize Your workplace tasks, the goaland responsibility, and communications management When you struggle with unrealistic expectations and deadlines.

talk Exploring hybrid work options for employers.

Consider If your current employer is not addressing your concerns, seek out an employer with a strong track record and a focus on employee well-being and work/life balance.

schedule Downtime and healthy boundary About workplace expectations, working hours, weekends, and other expectations.

demand If you are suffering from a entrenched habit of stress, burnout, or overwork, the help of a mental health professional.

To find a therapist Visit Psychology Today Therapy Directory.