A constant feeling of needing todosomething, whether at home or at work.
Rarely allowing yourself breaks or moments of restand when you do, they feel like laziness, not relaxation.
A constant hum of activity defines your daily life.
Photo: Getty Images
If any of the above sound familliar to you, you may be burdened by whats called toxic productivity.
Toxic productivity stems from the relentless pursuit of self-optimization.
Of course, striving to continually improve and evolve yourself is not inherently badquite the opposite.
The problems arise when that effort compromises your well-being.
But how does this kind of compulsive overload develop?
Often, its a combination of internal and external factors, Dr. Schneider explains.
This makes them more likely to push past their limits, explains Dr. Schneider.
Toxic productivity can lead to a wide range of issues, according to Dr. Schneider.
Prolonged stress can lead to more severe psychological problems, such as burnout, depression, or panic attacks.
Being productive all the time does not actually lead to an increase in productivity.
According to Dr. Schneider, in fact, the exact opposite is true.
No one can perform at their peak every single day.
We see this even in elite sports: Despite the best training, performance naturally fluctuates.
She also emphasizes the importance of balance, saying: Strong performance requires non-performance.
Breaks and recovery phases are essential for sustainable productivity.
However, for individuals who derive their sense of self-worth solely from productivity, relaxation is anything but easy.
As a result, some people must consciously and painstakingly relearn how to take breaks.
It is important to develop a healthy relationship with productivity, Dr. Schneider emphasizes.
These could include creative hobbies or long walks.
It provides a soothing counterbalance to the performance-oriented demands of everyday life.
