Are You Suffering from Toxic Productivity?

So, how do you identify the signs of toxic productivity in your life? Checking off your to-do list constantly is a good indicator of toxic productivity. Do you find it difficult to put down your cell phone and rest? Are you constantly thinking about work or your to-do list, even while at home or out with friends and family? Do you answer work calls or emails while away from work? (Or while on vacation?) Completing numerous tasks may award you accolades at work, but it can have a harmful impact on your wellbeing. 

Another example of toxic productivity is being tired but never resting. Toxic productivity often results in chronic stress which has been found to increase anxiety and depression. Chronic stress can have severe side effects on your body, such as increasing your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Not only can toxic productivity damage your physical body, but it can also negatively impact your relationships as well. Relational stressors are also a good indicator of the presence of toxic productivity, such as lashing out at friends or family. 

The allure of toxic productivity is that you can get more and do more; however, doing more can lead to your undoing. So, how can you break free from toxic productivity? One solution is intentional slowing. Slowing requires practice and embraces the fact that we are human beings who need rest. It may seem counter-intuitive to slow down to be more productive, but it’s true. When we cease working and instead rest, the fruit of our labor is often much more productive. 

Sometimes, this change is easier said than done. So, how do you stop and rest? There are small steps that you can take to change your daily lifestyle. One tangible action is planning your work and working your plan. Set a schedule for your work and to-do list and plan your times of rest throughout the day and week. Set a time for yourself where you stop working and can rest. You might want to make a list of activities that you find restful, such as coloring or taking a bath, and you can ask some people closest to you to help keep you accountable. If you need something to help you transition from work to rest, take a few minutes to reflect on your day. Let go of moments that were stressful and hard. Release yourself from the guilt of not accomplishing more. When you’re ready to rest, turn your phone on silent, light a candle or play a song that can help you relax. 

Another way that you can practice resting is called a micro-break. These breaks occur when you are working. Just taking a few seconds or a couple of minutes to step away from the laptop or put tasks away has been shown to improve productivity and concentration, and this even helps reset your mind. Going for a small walk, reading an Iridescent article or taking a break to practice mindfulness or deep breathing practices has great benefits for your body. Studies also show that practicing micro-breaks even helps people avoid injuries at work! 

You may be thinking, “But what if my boss is disappointed if I don’t produce as much, or what if I let others down by slowing down?” These scenarios aren’t true in the slightest. When we slow down and take time to organize and manage our time and ourselves wisely, we produce good, timely work. It does not matter if it took you 40 hours or 60 hours to complete your tasks at work. At the end of the day, toxic productivity is a mentality, and more often then not your bosses and the people in your life want what is good for you! Sometimes taking a break and slowing down is the best gift we can offer ourselves and others. 

Once you start doing these small steps, reflect on why you feel the need to be productive. Ask yourself, “What am I avoiding by staying busy, and why do I feel the need to keep doing more?” Admittedly, I avoid slowing down and resting because I am afraid of what may come up during moments of silence. I must confront this fear and realize that rest will help me gain perspective and overcome the emotional scaries that I avoid through the coping mechanism of toxic productivity. 

Acknowledging that toxic productivity plays a role in your life, as well as slowing down and reflecting on your need to be productive, will take time to develop. Growth is a lifetime journey, and that’s okay! Slowing down gives you the freedom to be human, and it’s worth the journey. The best way to get there is to slow down and enjoy times of rest that life offers you.