Many of us are guilty of prioritising work over everything else, whether it’s working long hours, taking on too much responsibility, or simply ignoring our own health and well-being. But did you know that this workaholic attitude can be deadly?

Ignoring preventive health checkups is one of the most serious risks of being a workaholic. Preventive health checkups are intended to detect potential health problems before they become serious or even life-threatening. However, if you are overworked, you may be tempted to skip or postpone these checkups.

The issue is that many serious health conditions do not manifest symptoms until they are advanced. This means that if you don’t get regular checkups, you may be living with a serious condition that is silently affecting your health.

For example, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or even cancer, you may not notice any symptoms at first. However, if you have a preventive health checkup, your doctor can detect it and begin treatment early, potentially saving your life. Ignoring preventive health checkups can also put you at risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease, among other things.

But, how does one reconcile work and health? 

Here are a few pointers:

– Make your health a priority: Make your health a priority by scheduling checkups and other preventive care.

– Plan ahead of time for checkups: Make appointments ahead of time so you’re less likely to cancel or postpone them.

– Make use of your lunch break: If you’re short on time, try scheduling screenings during your lunch break or other non-working hours.

– Seek assistance from your employer: Some employers provide preventive health screenings as part of their employee benefits, so find out what your company’s policy is.

You can protect your health and avoid the deadly dangers of ignoring preventive care by scheduling regular checkups. So, the next time you’re tempted to put off a checkup, remember that your health comes first.

It’s critical to understand that spending a little time and money now on preventive health checkups can save you and your loved ones from bigger health problems and expenses in the future. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset; protect it.

Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital offers affordable wellness checkups across all specialities. Getting important regular health checkups on time ensures you are always aware of your underlying health problems if any. 

FAQ

1. How being a workaholic affects mental health?

Being a workaholic can negatively affect mental health by increasing the risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. It can lead to lack of work-life balance, which can impact relationships and affect overall well-being. Additionally, it can lead to burnout, fatigue and lack of motivation.

2. What are the symptoms of a workaholic?

Symptoms of a workaholic include; obsession with work, inability to disconnect from work, neglecting personal and familial responsibilities, constantly feeling the need to be productive, feeling guilty when not working, and difficulty relaxing or engaging in leisure activities.

3. How do you help someone who is a workaholic?

Helping someone who is a workaholic can be challenging, as they may be resistant to change and may not see their workaholic behavior as a problem. However, there are a few things you can do to help:

– Communicate your concerns: Talk to the person in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental way. Explain how their behavior is affecting you, and them, and how it is impacting their overall well-being.

– Encourage them to seek professional help: Workaholism is a complex issue that may be related to underlying psychological or emotional problems. Encourage them to see a therapist or counselor who can help them understand and address the root causes of their workaholic behavior.

– Set boundaries and encourage self-care: Help them set healthy boundaries between work and personal time, encourage them to take time off, engage in leisure activities and prioritize self-care activities, such as exercise, sleep, and healthy eating.

– Offer support and encouragement: Offer to help the person make changes and be supportive of their efforts to break their workaholic habits. Recognize their achievements and encourage them to keep going.

– Lead by example: If you are close to the person and if you have a workaholic behavior, work on yourself first, try to balance your own work-life and set healthy boundaries, so you can serve as a positive role model.

It’s important to remember that it’s the workaholic’s decision to change, and it’s important to respect their autonomy in making that change. Encourage them to take time and be patient with the process, helping someone with workaholic behavior is a long-term process.