Sophie Okolo, MPH

In the current working climate, a demanding schedule is an often unfortunate side effect of life. Relationships fall by the way, rest and relaxation gets put on the back burner, and you just can’t see a way out of the corporate lifestyle you’ve given your all to. 

This is a problem. An isolating schedule can lead to an increase in loneliness, which a recent study found can even change the way your brain works. And when you look into it, that’s not the only side effect of working seemingly 24/7 all year long. 

Your Work Gets a Lot Messier

A demanding schedule makes you feel productive, doesn’t it? Even when you’re super tired and in need of a break, you can rest easy knowing you’ve just completed a full day of work. However, the less time you have to yourself, the more disorganized your work is going to become. 

Everyone needs a break, and everyone needs to value their time for a break. When you get the chance to walk away from a desk and have a free lunch hour, you’re going to give 100 times more than if you’d just powered through. 

Of course, making this choice will be difficult if you’re expected to work this time, but don’t forget that you’re perfectly able to stand up for your rights when you know what to say. 

You Physically Overextend Yourself

It’s not just your mental health that’s at risk. Your physical health is going to take a blow too. The two are inextricably tied and the more mentally drained you are, the more your body is going to reflect this. You’re going to find it hard to wake up in the morning, or get the kids off to school on time, or even take the dog for a walk in the evening! If you find yourself in a situation like this, ask for help. 

The most immediate problem is this lack of energy (which can turn into full blown illness if you’re not careful), which can be solved by working with websites like Care.com. If you get someone else to take care of things for an hour or two, you get the chance to rest and recuperate and claw back some of that mental and physical wellness you’ve been missing. 

You Start Letting People Down

This is the most tragic side effect of having a demanding schedule. If you’re always on the move and needing to do something else, you’re going to let people down. Your friends and family are most at risk of this. 

If you only have 10 minutes to catch up with an old friend, you’re going to miss out on celebrating that connection in the way it deserves! Don’t let this make you feel guilty, but do give it some serious thought for the future. 

For people with packed calendars, it can feel like you do nothing but work. Don’t let a demanding schedule get the best of you.