We’re all busy. As a recent article bluntly put it: “Americans work more than anyone.” Most Americans work over 40 hours a week, more than our counterparts in other industrialized nations like England, Norway, and Japan. We also retire later, work longer days, and are permitted less time off for vacation. As a country, we rally around the ideals of determination and hard work. But experts suggest that overwork is linked to alcoholism, weight gain, sleep deprivation, and, in low-income workers, type 2 diabetes. So if you feel weighed down with anxiety – whether because of work or any other reason – be sure to care for yourself. That means taking time to relax, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and saying no.
Continue reading “The Mental Health Benefits of Self-Care”