Are You Overworked or Overwhelmed?

By LeeOnna Sanchez

These days, it can be easy to lose sight of what's important. Everyone loses sight of home life and balance when it comes to making ends meet. Knowing whether you're overworked or overwhelmed can be confusing to some. Some companies will downsize, and this can be hard. It puts more pressure on employees. You find you're doing more than what you normally would, and it seems you accomplish less. Keeping home and work life in balance gets hard and you soon find yourself at risk of disapproval by the boss. This is where being overworked can become a big issue.

Another aspect is being overwhelmed. This is more of a feeling. People with active minds can find it hard to concentrate on one thing at a time. They find it difficult to prioritize and doing the most important things first. They come across as a bee who goes from one flower to the next. Being able to multitask can be beneficial, but many studies have shown that doing one task at a time is better. You accomplish more. While being focused makes you appear slower, you're getting more done than the person who is multitasking.

Here are a few things to help you differentiate between being overworked and being overwhelmed:

Overworked

• Working a lot of OT when asked
• Taking on projects you can't handle
• you're more fatigued
• insomnia
• increased illness
• depression or anxiety
• loss of appetite
• impaired concentration
• forgetfulness

Overwhelmed

• lack of energy
• high strung
• stressed out
• low productivity at work
• unhappiness

Dealing with being overwhelmed or overworked can be simple. For instance, consider making lists to help you tackle more. Put things in order of most important to things of less importance. Consider getting those big reports done while you have down time rather than procrastinating.

If you find that you're taking on too much at work, consider delegating some tasks out to others that can help you. Start declining OT when it's offered to allow your body the time it needs to relax and reset. Assess your day and consider planning to help keep you on track.

You can't have complete control over your work environment. But, being more aware of how you're feeling and the actual effects it has on you both physically and mentally can help you feel more at ease and in control at work. Work wellness will help keep you on track and can help keep home and work life in balance.

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