Being ‘always busy’ can harm your mental health: Why toxic productivity is unhealthy

Being busy is considered a success in today’s world. There is a lot of talk of being “always working,” “always available,” and “always hustling.” A culture of social media, at work and around the clock, has created a workplace environment in which productivity is tied to self-worth. A good work ethic and a positive mindset are important, as are good habits, but if you work too hard and too long without adequate rest, it can become a bad habit.

This unhealthy habit is often called “toxic productivity.” It means the stress of being “on at all times”, even if that means compromising personal well-being, sleep, relationships, and mental health. If productivity becomes unhealthy, it’s time to call in the specialists. Toxic productivity typically starts slowly. They might read work messages late at night, forgo breaks, feel guilty when they take breaks, work on weekends and vacations, etc. As they go on, they may come to believe they are never doing “enough,” regardless of what they accomplish.

Many people start to equate their worth with their performance and achievements psychologically. They may feel lazy, slower than others, or like they let people down. It is even greater in very competitive settings. The most serious issue with toxic productivity is that the brain and body don’t have enough time to rest. Humans are not meant to be constantly stressed out without breaks. Overloading the mind continuously can affect concentration, emotional stability, decision-making, and physical health.

Signs of toxic productivity

• Those who exhibit toxic productivity can appear very successful or efficient on the outside. Still, on the inside, they may feel emotionally drained. Common stressors include chronic stress, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, lack of relaxation, emotional numbness, decreased motivation, headaches, and burnout.
• Others also tend to lose interest in hobbies, socialisation or self-care because they feel they must always be “productive”. Sleeping can still lead to feelings of guilt or unease. Inability to enjoy the process can lead to depression, panic attacks, emotional breakdowns and chronic mental fatigue in severe cases.
• Social media also contributes to exacerbating this problem. Excessive consumption of hustle culture and comparison can make one feel as though they aren’t doing enough, even when they already feel overwhelmed.

Rest is also productive

• Don’t think of rest as being lazy. Emotional and psychological recovery is essential and includes spending time with family and friends, taking breaks, engaging in hobbies, and getting enough sleep. In fact, individuals operate optimally when there is a healthy balance between work and rest.
• Establishing limits on work and screen time, taking regular breaks, and giving yourself time to relax can have a major impact on mental health. Productivity should be a servant of life, rather than its master.
• A healthy lifestyle is not about working all the time; it is about working in a balanced, sustainable manner. Success is also evident in one’s mental relaxation, emotional well-being and personal relationships.

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