There’s nothing wrong with being a hard worker. But if you find yourself working all the time, even when you’re not at work, you might be a workaholic. 

So here are some common signs to look for.

You are Too Preoccupied with Work

This is a common problem, especially with the rise of technology, making it so easy always to be “connected.” 

If you find that you focus on work more than anything else in your life, you may be a workaholic. 

When you are too preoccupied with work, you tend to do the following:

• You do nothing but work. You’re thinking about work, planning your next project, or checking your work email when you’re not working. You don’t have time for friends, family, or hobbies.
• You are always working. Even on weekends and holidays, you can’t relax because you’re always thinking about work or doing work-related tasks.
• You never take vacations. For you, taking time off from work is unthinkable. Either you can’t afford to take time off, or you feel like you’ll fall behind if you’re not working all the time.
• Your health is suffering. Because you’re always working, you don’t have time to take care of yourself. As a result, you may be skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, and not exercising regularly.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take a step back and reassess your priorities. 

Working too much is bad for your health and can lead to burnout. 

Make sure to take breaks and give yourself time to relax and recharge outside of work.

You Don’t Have Close Relationships

If you’re a workaholic, you may not socialize much outside work. 

As a result, you may not have close friends, or if you do, you may not find time to spend with them very often. 

Instead, work is your main focus and socializing takes a backseat.

You Don’t Take Breaks

Workaholism is often praised in our culture. 

We see it as a dedication to one’s work and a clear focus on career goals. 

But we don’t see the damage that workaholism can do to our physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

You Don’t Take Time Off

If you don’t rest, it may signify that you are a workaholic. 

Are you constantly working or that you work every single day? 

Do you take vacations or days off; when you do, you may feel guilty or anxious. 

You may work long hours, often at the expense of your personal life.

Your work may be a source of stress in your life, but you may feel like you can’t or don’t deserve to take a break. 

You may feel like your work is never done or that there is always more to do. 

You may have trouble relaxing or enjoying leisure activities because you are always thinking about work.

If this sounds like you, you may be a workaholic. 

Workaholism is a serious problem that can lead to burnout, health problems, and relationship problems. 

If you think you might be a workaholic, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional for help.

You Don’t Delegate

If you constantly shoulder the burden of work and never delegate tasks to others, it might signify that you’re a workaholic. 

This can be extremely detrimental to your health and well-being, leading to burnout. 

If you’re a workaholic, you might also have difficulty saying no to requests, even when you’re already overloaded. 

This can make it hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

You Neglect Everything Else in Favor of Work

You might not have time for family or friends, you might not be able to find time for other things you enjoy outside of work, and work may be the only thing on your mind. 

This can lead to problems in other areas of your life, and it can be tough to maintain a healthy balance. 

You Don’t Have Non-Work Activities

Do you ever feel like work is taking over your life? 

If you can’t remember the last time you took a day off or did something that wasn’t work-related, you might be a workaholic.

It’s not always bad to be passionate about your work, but when it starts to affect your health, relationships, and other aspects of your life, you need to do something about it.

You’re always available.

Workaholics often have difficulty saying no to additional assignments or projects, even when they’re already overbooked. 

They also typically have trouble delegating tasks to others and prefer to do everything themselves.

You neglect your health.

Because workaholics are so focused on their jobs, they often neglect their physical and mental health. 

If you’re skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, or forgetting to exercise because of how much time you’re working, it’s a sign that your health is suffering due to your job.

Your Identity is Submerged in Your Work

You may be a workaholic if your identity is submerged in your work. 

You focus on being an employee or a worker rather than a person. 

Your self-esteem is derived from what you do, not who you are. 

This can lead to insecurity and an inability to relax and enjoy personal time. 

If you are a workaholic, you may feel guilty when taking time off or vacations, even if you have earned them.

You Work During Your Breaks

Do you work even during your breaks? 

This is a common sign that you might be a workaholic. 

If you find that you don’t take breaks, or if you spend your breaks still working, it’s time to take a step back and assess your work-life balance.

Conclusion

So, are you a workaholic? 

If you can identify with any of the signs and symptoms above, the answer is probably yes. 

Remember, being a workaholic isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 

Many successful people are workaholics. 

The key is to find a healthy balance between work and the rest of your life. 

When work takes over and starts negatively impacting your health, it’s time to reassess your priorities.