by Sarah Torribio

Created on: February 10, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

I tend towards workaholism, and I recently came across a fine idea that I believe can translate to anyone who just can't seem to quit. During one of those marathon days at the office, or at your computer, stop an hour early.

You heard me. I know. To be a workaholic is to be always cognizant that the flow of things to do is endless. However, while your effort may pay off in productivity in the short term, eventually you run the risk of burning yourself out and harming your health. Again, I speak from personal experience. I just got back from a therapeutic massage in which I was asked if I worked at a computer and told by the masseuse that I had about the most crunched up shoulders and tight back of any client she had worked. on. This is not good.

Another thing you can jeopardize, besides sanity, health (come on, you know you've been picking up every cold and flu bug that creeps your way) and your relationship with your loved ones is this: perspective. Every deadline begins to take on a life or death importance. You forget that the world will not implode if you take time for lunch, sleep in an extra hour or go home in time to eat a good dinner and catch an episode of "Lost."

So, here it is. I am a teacher and grad student and freelance writer. I've been sitting at a computer in my work office off and on for 11 hours (to a workaholic, this can actually be a great understatement, and sounds less horrifying that it does to people with more balanced schedules.) I start thinking to myself, alright, I'll head home at about 5 p.m. That should be good.

Wrong. I am beginning to use my clever meta-consciousness to override concepts that aren't working for me anymore. I'm starting to tell myself no, 4 p.m. should be good. This is because those with type-A personalities are capable of such mental extreme focus that we stop listening to our body's signals.

Take a look at this checklist:
Ever drink at least 7 cups of coffee in day? Ever realize you've had to pee for at least an hour but keep finding reasons to put it off? Ever eaten junk that's around the office or gone without eating until you feel sick and dizzy, just because it seems like too much trouble to seek out a decent meal? Ever gone 8 hours without a cup of water? Ever felt pain in your lower back and shrugged it off?

While I can answer yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes, this is not meant to be a feel-sorry for me laundry list of discomforts. These are the kinds of discomforts that, unfortunately, I bring upon myself and many others bring upon themselves by believing that the task at hand is, well, more important than our own hand.

So, it's just a tiny start, but very doable. If you're putting in a marathon day and, come afternoon or evening start to assess when you're going to leave, think about re-assessing your assessment. Be the responsible parent to your inner workaholic. If you think you might stay at your workspace just one more hour, try out stacking your folders, shutting down your programs and putting your computer to sleep. Make a decision to go home and assess how you feel.

The times I've done this, I've realized some things. I am tired. I am thirsty. I am hungry. Somewhere deep inside, part of me feels betrayed that I am not responding to my natural needs for rest, nutrients and fun. I've realized it's time to go home.

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