It’s National Workaholics Day! Yes, indeed, July 5 is a celebration that is both serious and quite unusual. It is also trendy and resonates with so many workers across the world. It is a day that acknowledges people who spend their lives working, so much so that they overlook every other aspect of their life.
Workaholism can be pretty dangerous; devotees to their work will often ignore health warnings and even their families. This is because their whole life revolves around work. While the holiday is a celebration for many, workaholics most likely miss the buzz as they’re stuck working as the festivities continue.
Yes, July 5th is National Workaholics Day, but it also raises awareness on workaholism and calls on people to work towards a work-life balance. It is the perfect day to make and commit to changes in your lifestyle. While it may not be apparent to all, a work/life balance is extremely crucial.
Workaholics day encourages over-workers to step away from their work and enjoy a day of rest. All work and no play are a danger to your physical and mental health.
How it came to be
This all began with puritans defining work as an obligation that would be beneficial to everyone in society. Dubbing these ‘good works,’ they settled in New England and crafted the American Dream around hard work. Moreover, they believed that hard work was crucial to prosperity in heaven.
After the colonial American dream, the impure industry rose with Max Weber’s book ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.’ The book explored work and godliness, merging them and leading to mechanization by the industrial revolution.
Starting from 1968, the respect for work-life became prevalent as Roger Dangerfield coined the term workaholics. He used the word to describe his father, and the word fits so many other people back then and even today.
Am I a workaholic?
Work addiction, like any other addiction, can be quite consuming. Everyone exhibits different signs, but you can easily pick up on them in yourself and those around you if you look close enough. Some of the telling signs include:
- Hyper busyness
You are never comfortable unless you’re ticking things off your list, and if a project is hanging, you cannot relax. This also leads to multitasking to keep yourself fully occupied, and you end up over-exerting yourself. If you get an adrenaline rush from work pressure, it’s time to start working towards a work-life balance.
- Perfectionism
Judging yourself by unrealistic standards is one way to keep you stuck in a work loop, trying to improve yourself and outdo yourself. Of course, it is important to allow yourself room for mistakes, but workaholics are always in a scramble to meet unreachable standards.
- Need to control
Delegating is extremely difficult for workaholics. You worry that it’s a sign of weakness or that the job won’t be done to your standard. This leads to working overtime to do all the work alone as you have security in your solo performance.
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
If relationships with people around you are crumbling because you’re always ‘too busy, then it’s a clear sign that you’re overworking!
How to celebrate National Workaholics Day
This is different from person to person. The day is not exclusive to workaholics; if you’re not one, you can still celebrate the day. However, if you recognize yourself as a struggling workaholic, July 5 is the perfect day to play hooky and do something spontaneous. Understandably, it is difficult to step away from work when you’re addicted to working. Still, since it’s a particular day, you can start planning early and schedule your day full of fun activities to prevent you from getting tempted to work.
Some of the great activities you can plan include going out with family, taking part in sports, a movie date, reconnect with friends, go on an adventure, go on vacation or at least plan one and so many other activities to keep your mind engaged.
Recognizing that you are a workaholic is the first step towards doing something about it. This is because you can’t begin to change your lifestyle when in denial. Recognizing workaholism also means acknowledging its effects on those around you and other aspects of your life.
So, what if it’s someone close to me?
Your partner, family member, colleague, or friend might be a workaholic, and believe it or not, you can help them make a healthy shift in their lifestyle. Take advantage of July 5 and plan something that you can do with them. Force them away from their work and show them all other joys of life besides work.
In addition to this, you can help them understand the importance of a work/life balance by outlining the dangers of workaholism, the benefits of balance, and how to start making changes in their lives.
Why Workaholics Day is important
- It is a rest day
As we’ve mentioned, the day is meant for over-workers to take a break from work and experience life. However, it is essential to remember the importance of taking care of yourself outside of work. Taking time for yourself is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it allows your mind and body the rest they deserve.
For many workaholics, stepping away from their work can fill them with anxiety and make them feel like they are being lazy. However, you should note and keep reminding yourself that taking a break from work is not laziness; it is an opportunity to get an energy refill from other parts of your life. This will make you a better worker.
- Shines a light on signs of work stress
Being devoted to your work is good, but once workaholism steps into the picture, it becomes challenging to identify stress resulting from work. More often than not, you will suffer sleep deprivation, anxiety, and even decreased productivity. Taking a day off, say the National holiday for workaholics, will help you notice some of the signs you might have overlooked.
- Rediscover your social life
It has been said and repeated time and again, ‘no man is an island.’ You need people around you, and for that to happen, you need to nurture relationships with those around you. Unfortunately, work can steal you away from friends, family, colleagues, and even love interests. Therefore, remember to create time to reconnect with these people.
Flexispot products for workaholics
Can you cure workaholism? Yes, you can, but it is not an easy journey. First, you need to be incredibly committed to achieving a healthy balance in your work and personal life. If you recognize that you are a workaholic, all is not lost, start slow, and you’ll eventually be able to take healthy breaks from your work.
As you work through this, and for right now, it is crucial to ensure your comfort while you spend time working. In honor of this quirky holiday, Flexispot urges people to be mindful of their health while working. This is possible through active living. According to the team at Flexispot, an active work lifestyle doesn’t take you away from your work, so if you’re a struggling workaholic, this is an excellent solution for you.
Flexispot is a furniture manufacturer that specializes in innovative solutions to help better the modern workday and puts health and comfort first. You can use many products to make your workspace more comfortable, especially if you’ll be spending all your time there.
Have you heard of standing desks?
Standing desks have become extremely popular among modern workers. WHO studies have found that a sedentary lifestyle is quite dangerous. The mortality rate due to work-related stress is also on the rise. When standing desks first came into the picture, many were skeptical, but the benefits have proven their importance.
If you or someone in your immediate circle is a workaholic, recommend a Flexispot standing desk that is height adjustable, meaning they get to switch between various work positions. Sit-stand desks are not only good for your back, neck, and overall physical health, but they’ve been found to increase productivity. We recommend their latest Flexispot Esben standing desk that is easy to install features two drawers and has a height range of 29.5 to 49.2 inches.
How about a desk bike?
The Flexispot Sit2Go 2-in-1 fitness chair is a worthy investment, especially if you spend a lot of time in your work area. The Sit2Go fitness chair helps you exercise your body during your work. This helps improve your mood through the release of endorphins, betters your circulation and digestion, and minimizes your chances of heart diseases. In addition, desk bikes help eliminate the stationary aspect of your workday and help you stay active and energized.
You can also get accessories.
July 5 is the perfect day to shop for workplace accessories to make your workplace more comfortable. You can get an ergonomic chair, find pillows, desk converters, and many other accessories to add to your workspace for health and comfort. Cushion mats, for instance, will help you keep your feet comfortable and painless throughout your workday, whether you’re sitting or standing.
To sum up
Workaholics Day is a reminder of the importance of striking a healthy balance in your life. Therefore, keep your 4th July celebrations going with the July 5 National Workaholics Day! Also, remember to take a break from work every now and then.
