Your Mental Health Nugget
August 11, 2008
Is Your Life Out of Balance?
How To Tell If Work Has Taken Over Your Life
You may be thinking that your life needs more balance, more time spent at
home or with friends and less time spent at work. Perhaps you've even
mentioned this to your spouse, girlfriend, best buddy, doctor or co-workers.
Some of your friends or family members may have been sympathetic while
others may compare their life and activities to yours, telling you that "this is
the way it is today in the real world."
Yet, there is that nagging doubt. That feeling that you shouldn't always be so
stressed, so tired, so short on time, coupled with the knowledge that you can't
seem to think clearly anymore, that you forget important appointments, family
birthdays and that you rarely eat dinner before 9:00 p.m.
It's important to listen to your own intuition and take control of your life before
you have no OTHER life than what exists in the workplace. If you still need convincing, or perhaps some more objective feedback, try this little quiz:
Question: True or False:
1. I am spending more time than ever at work and on work-related projects
and activities.
2. I usually feel that I've run out of time at the end of the day, and I worry
about all the things that did not get done.
3. I don't have any time for myself, my family or my friends.
4. I don't get to visit with, or talk to, my family and friends very often.
5. Social meetings always seem rushed and I find myself thinking about what
I have to get done, and how I should be elsewhere, instead of enjoying the
time with my family or friends.
6. On most days, every minute of every waking hour is scheduled with an
activity, or I have something urgent to accomplish.
7. I'm not sure who I am anymore, and I often wonder why I chose this job or
this career.
8. It is hard to recall my last vacation day or day off, or the last time I just sat
and read a book or relaxed.
9. I don't have much fun anymore and I rarely do something just because I want
to do it or because I think it will be pleasurable or fun.
10. I feel stressed out much of the time and I find myself losing patience easily.
11 It is sometimes hard to sleep at night and to unwind at the end of the day.
Question True or False:
12. My life is a blur. I feel like I have to keep moving from one thing to the next
with no time to catch my breath.
13. When I do sit down to read a book for pleasure, or to watch a movie, or
TV, I find my mind wandering back to work-related subjects, or I fall
asleep from exhaustion.
14. I want more time for entertainment, hobbies and activities, but I never
seem to get it.
15. I often have to postpone social engagements, doctor's appointments or
other personal things, or I am often late to these appointments
16. I am usually very tired in the morning when I arrive for work and, even
after the weekend, I feel exhausted.
17. It is hard to find the time to help my children with homework, talk to my
spouse or friend about their day or just sit and write out checks.
18. People depend on my income, but they also expect me to be there for
important dates like birthdays and soccer games, and I feel torn and
misunderstood, much of the time.
19. I almost always bring some work home at the end of the day, and/or I nearly
always work for part of the weekend, or on my days off.
If you answered 'True' to less than five of these questions, you are not
overworked and your life is in good balance.
If you answered 'True' to more than eight of these questions, your life is
seriously out of balance and steps are needed to re-balance your life.
If you answered 'True' to more than twelve of these questions, you should
consider starting a program immediately to regain control over your life,
before stress and overwork damage your health and your relationships.
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