Some Thoughts to Share

For a long time, the relentless pursuit of productivity has resulted in an alarming trend: the normalization of excessive work hours. More is better is the motto that echoes across your corporate corridors, from boardrooms to cubicles. The words of an Indian Businessman on a recent call for a 70-hour workweek have reignited an age-old debate in being online about the workplace versus people's lifestyle and what it means for the way we succeed as people in a world.

The 70-hour workweek is a siren song, tempting you with promises of rapid career advancement, financial success, and honors. But behind the shiny surface is a grimmer reality. The constant grind can take a toll on mental health, physical well-being, and personal relationships, leaving people feeling hollowed out and demoralized.

Let's unpack the pernicious effects of those kinds of excessive work hours:

The Toll on Mental Health

Staying in stressful environments for extended periods can cause a range of mental health problems as follows:

Anxiety and depression: The relentless competitive pressure can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Burnout: Chronic stress or exhaustion can beget burnout, which is marked by emotional exhaustion and cynicism, in addition to reduced productivity.

Insomnia: Sleep disturbances are a common occurrence in those who spend extended periods working, which has an impact on cognitive function and overall well-being.

Physical Health Implications

However, the consequences of neglecting physical health in the pursuit of professional goals can be dire:

Weakens Immune System: Chronic stress weakens the immune system leaving the person more prone to diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease: Long hours and sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

Digestive Problems: Stress-induced conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers may develop.

Eroded Relationships

Workaholism can put stress on personal relationships, resulting in:

Family Conflict: Spending less time with family members can lead to miscommunication and resentment.

Damaged Relationships: Friends and significant others with whom time is not well spent.

Marital discord: Long hours of work can place lots of strain on marriages and partnerships.

The Illusion of Productivity

It is a common misconception that the longer one works, the more productive he/she will be. Indeed studies have shown that past a certain point, productivity diminishes due to fatigue and stress.

A Real-Life Example

Take the narrative of an ambitious, young professional who hustled hard, logging 12-hour days. At first, the rewards appeared enticing: promotions, bonuses, and recognition. But the cost to his health and personal life was severe. He'd experienced chronic fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. It didn't take long for his once-bustling social life to dwindle, and his connections with family and friends to fray. So it seems inevitable that he would hit a wall, a crushing burnout that kept him away from his job for months.

This is not an isolated case. Many have succumbed to the temptation of the 70-hour work week, trading their lives for the illusion of success.

A Call for Change

It's about time that we challenged this antiquated notion that productivity is only a function of hours worked.

Here are some of the ways through which you can make a change:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Granting flexible working hours / remote work / compressed work week can help employees manage their time better.

Encouragement — Employee encouragement for taking vacations and time off will help workers recharge to show up focused and well again.

Mindfulness and Stress Management: The availability of mindfulness techniques, meditation, and yoga can help employees release stress and increase their focus.

Setting reasonable expectations: Leaders should not set unrealistic timelines and expectations that are a cause of burnout.

Open Communication: Encouraging transparency and open conversations about the workload and stress levels of employees.

Organizations that face this challenge may match work-life balance towards their solutions to foster a more engaged, productive, and satisfied workforce. But now is the time to ditch the 70-hour workweek and change to a more humane workstyle.