Working too much is likely to decrease your productivity, leave you creatively drained, and negatively affect relationships with friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, pursuing your passion is a beautiful gift and there is nothing wrong with working hard on projects you love. However, it’s essential to take breaks. Whether you’re working from home or in an office environment it’s essential to nourish your creative spirit.

Workholism is not strength, but it’s a weakness which ruins our life. We hear stories of people who “burn the mid-night oil” at the office, or about individuals who never take vacations. Working a lot doesn’t mean you deserve a gold star.

Below are a few creative ways to avoid becoming a workaholic.

Know what you want to do & what you are doing.  It’s very much important to know what you want to do & what you are doing. Many people do lot of work by taking lot of pain & struggle, but at the end they will end up somewhere away from their goal.

Every individual need Self Introspection. You are the best person to judge yourself. If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up somewhere.

At the end of each day spend few minutes, to recall the things that you done on that particular day. Every day we have to learn new thing which is useful.

Set clear boundaries.

Make sure your working hours are consistent. For instance, if you work from 9 am to 6 pm make sure you leave the office by 6. Don’t stay late.

Constantly question your goals and life purpose.

It’s important to continually reevaluate your goals, life purpose and behaviors. For example if you constantly stay late at the office, sacrifice personal relationships because of work, or check your email obsessively, ask yourself:

• Why am I doing this?
• What is the end goal?
• Are my behaviors healthy?

Get enough sleep! Staying up late to work on a project and then getting up at 5 am to go into the office is not a good strategy. Lack of creativity, diminished morale and irritability are a few traits of people who go without sleep. Work smarter, not harder.

Spend time in nature. Spending time in nature is a great way reduce stress, disconnect from everyday worries and incoming work messages. Set aside time in your daily life to go outside. For instance, take a half hour walk everyday and be mindful of your surroundings. There is no need to rush. Take your time, try to understand your instinctual feelings and observe the natural beauty in your neighborhood.

Find a hobby. Cultivate a hobby; preferably something that doesn’t relate to your day job. Start by brainstorming your interests. For example, you can start running, walking, knitting, reading novels, or writing. A hobby should be something that brings you joy; something you can lose yourself in and find your flow.

Listen to your body. If you are working too much you will start feeling tired, cranky and apathetic. All of these symptoms are a sign that you need to slow down. It’s essential to listen to your body. When you listen to your body, you’ll know when you’re sick or just need some extra rest.

Unplug from the internet. Getting work done doesn’t require an internet connection. It’s amazing what can happen when you step out from behind the computer screen or your mobile device. Most of my killer ideas come to me when I’m taking a shower, on a walk, cooking a meal, and “not working.”Everyone is creative and ideas can come to you at odd moments. Just because you have an idea doesn’t mean you have to implement it right away. Keep a journal with you at all times so that you can capture your idea and enjoy your down time.

Make time for friends, family and your partner.If you’re working too much, you’re probably sacrificing time with friends, family and your life partner. Doing work you love is extremely important, but so are the people who love you. Consider how you spend your time and what is truly important in life. When you are with your family, friends and life partner, really be there. Make an effort to be present. For instance, if you’re having a conversation with a friend listens to what they are saying. Be engaged and ask questions.

Eat real food. A side effect of working too much is eating out more and not eating real food. Real food includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Before you head out to the office, take time the night before or early in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast and lunch.

Most importantly, don’t eat while you’re working. Savor your food and enjoy every bite. Studies have shown that if you eat food quickly, you’re more likely to over eat and gain weight.

Reach out to others with a good work-life balance. If you think you’re a workaholic, reach out to others. Connect with friends, family, and consider therapy as an option. If you think this is negatively impacting your life, do something about the problem. We only get one life. So live it well and take care of yourself.