The Problem with Living for the Weekend
Just about everyone prefers the weekend over the workweek. When we start living for the weekend, however, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. Here's how to know if your weekend obsession is normal or a red flag that could indicate a toxic work environment.
Why it's a Problem
Most people agree that the weekend is a wonderful concept: We get to spend time doing the things we want to do, whether it's relaxing, meeting up with friends or making memories with family. That said, if we spend the last few days of the week focusing on the coming weekend - and the first few days of the week reminiscing about the past weekend - we are essentially overlooking about two-thirds of our lives.
When it's a Problem
While most people prefer weekends over work days, there are some situations that could point toward a problem, including:
You dread Mondays. When people are stuck in stressful or toxic jobs, they sometimes begin to feel anxiety of despair on Sunday evenings. It's natural to enjoy a fun-filled weekend; however, if you begin to dread the workweek before it actually starts, it's a major red flag.
You are caught in a loop. It's fine to look forward to the weekend, especially if you have big plans. At the same time, it makes sense to dread especially challenging workweeks, filled with meetings, deadlines and stressful experiences. When this all becomes routine, however, it can lead to serious problems. According to a study out of The Ohio State University, 20- and 30-somethings who are unhappy at their jobs are more likely to suffer mental and physical health problems in their 40s. If your job is always making you long for the weekend; consider making a change before it impacts your long-term health and mental well-being.
You feel sick at the end of your weekend. Ideally, you should feel physically and emotionally refreshed as the weekend comes to an end. If you feel sick, however, that probably points toward a problem. For some people, the threat of Monday can bring on anxiety. For others, it can lead to self-medication, where they consume alcohol to dull their feelings of dread. Whatever the case, if the promise of a new workweek makes you feel ill, it's not a good sign.
Making a Change
During the workweek, many people are too busy to step back and make an honest assessment about how they feel about their work. The weekends can help expose problems by highlighting feelings of discontentment, anxiety and dread.
A mountain of research has shown that poor job satisfaction can negatively impact our psychological well-being and physical health. If you find yourself consistently living for the weekend, consider looking for ways to change your job. You can also try to alter some of your weekday habits and behaviors, so you won't be missing out on two-thirds of your life.
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