If Workaholism is Making You Exhausted, Give Yourself a Well-Needed Break

How easy it can be to get caught up with work so much that ends up consuming us. By drive or necessity, we work long hours, sometimes not even getting days off, to finish important jobs or to earn that extra money we need for living. Those little hints your body gives like memory lapses, going on "auto pilot" or being irritable are all signs that you need time to chill out. Though it's noble and commendable to have a strong work ethic, we all need to let ourselves have some down-time to recharge our health and stamina.

Do something totally away from, and unrelated to, your job. Let yourself forget about responsibility and major decision-making unless it has to do with recreation. Taking the family and doing something fun together is a great way to unwind and remember why you work so hard in the first place. Choose an activity that you normally wouldn't think of doing. Break out of the everyday routine and let yourself let loose. Do you always drive past the beach, but live near it? Then, a trip there is a must. Stop and enjoy bing out among the natural world for awhile. Really soak in everything you see, such as the birds flying, or the flowers in your garden. Or, if you normally cook, go to a restaurant and let someone else make you dinner, for a change.

Playing with your pets is great therapy for you and them. Have you tossed a ball for your dog, or dragged a toy on a string for your cat lately? Make a point to stop and do this for more than a few minutes. Really get into it until your pet is tired out. My normally very nocturnal cat will sleep through the night if I wear him out with enough play during the day, at least once weekly. You will have done a good deed and filled your pet's play quota (hopefully) for the week, as well as let yourself have a little fun doing something that fills no purpose other than to make someone else's day. Your pet will thank you for it.

If you just have to do something productive and functional to forget work, then as a last resort, clean something. Or, clean a bunch of somethings. If it really makes you happy, then do it. I go nuts with housework and organizing when the productivity urge hits, not stopping until the project is completely finished. Tidying up the house, or working in the yard can be a good way to burn off steam and have something to show for it later. Go ahead, vacuum, dust and polish or mow to your heart's content. Physical activity is always beneficial to your heart and mind. Sustained exercise can also help to produce natural feel-good chemicals called "endorphins" in your body. This can reduce feelings of depession and anxiety. Combined with proper eating habits, you are setting yourself up for a good work week ahead, by rejeuvenating your mind and body at the same time.

Forgetting work for awhile isn't being irresponsible or frivolous. My workaholic family tends to think this. I know first-hand how hard it can be for someone who is normally used to thinking about work to unwind. Give yourself a mini-holiday and improve the quality of your life by diverting your attention to something else. In the end, your family as a whole will benefit. A more rested and happy person is much more pleasant to be around. We only have one life, so it is important to stop and smell the roses. Work isn't everything, even if sometimes it feels that way. Go ahead, pry yourself away from the desk, you can do it. And, in the end, you'll be glad that you did.