by Carol Gioia

Created on: August 26, 2010   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

Being ambitious to get ahead in life is an admirable trait, unless you go to extremes.  When you are dedicated to your job there is temptation to focus all of your energy there. All work and no play translates into an unbalanced life, which in the long run might be detrimental to your well-being.

A balanced lifestyle includes time for work, time for play, time to recharge and time for social interaction. If you are focusing all of your time and energy on work, neglecting the other aspects of well-rounded existence, your misguided efforts will ultimately take a toll on you, both mentally and physically.

Why it is important to remember there is more to life than work:

* Health

If you are not taking time to eat three nutritious meals a day, get adequate exercise and fresh air, and enough restorative sleep, your body will eventually protest in the form of mental and physical health issues. Workaholics are prone to digestive problems as a result of poor eating habits, anxiety or depression due to lack of stress-reliving exercise, confusion and inability to concentrate because of the overtiredness incurred from sleep-deprivation. These are only a few examples of the myriad health issues that might occurr when a person forgets there is more to life than work.

* Relationships

Everybody needs somebody and if you are focusing only on work it is difficult to foster and nurture close relationships. Workaholics tend to isolate themselves away from their spouses, children and friends. When they do surface from their immersion in their work and look around, they often discover that their self-imposed estrangement has resulted in leaving them lonely and feeling unloved. If you are keeping your nose excessively to the grindstone, your loved ones are apt to tire of waiting indefinitely for some of your attention and fulfill their needs elsewhere.

* Social life

Workaholics do not derive the invigorating and stress-relieving benefits an active social life provides. Not giving yourself a chance to meet new people, go different places and be exposed to a variety of new experiences translates to a one-dimensional life. The more social interaction you expose yourself to the more knowledgeable and interesting your personality, which might actually enhance your career ambitions, in addition to keeping your life in a healthy balance.

There are so many reasons to remember there is more to life than work. Practicing a good work ethic, but knowing where to draw the line, will allow you to maintain your health and well-being while reaping the enriching rewards of a well-balanced lifestyle.

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