Some people – perhaps those smarter, more informed, and better equipped with high-brow terminology than most – like to call our era “late-stage capitalism” (a funny term when you think about it since there’s no end in sight). In this reality, lived by many people around the US, from Arkansas to Washington, work life has become life itself. Careering has taken over, and professional life can now substitute for nearly every other aspect of existence. There’s another nifty term that neatly captures this shift in values: hustle culture. Things shouldn’t be this way; we’re not saying that for nothing. Many individuals have developed mental health conditions due to the harmful relationships they have with their careers.
Today, we’ll expand on that and introduce you to the mental health costs of hustle culture – something people rarely, if ever, talk about.
What Is Hustle Culture?
Suppose you’ve ever had a notion that people confuse their work productivity and, broader, their work life as their sole source of feeling valuable and good about themselves. In that case, you might’ve known about hustle culture all along but simply forgot to name it. That’s right, once people mistake their self-worth for professional success, they’re deeply immersed in hustle culture. This is an unhealthy set of values prevalent in a world where money is king, tsar, God, dictator, or whatever you want to call the one pulling the strings.
To be honest, it likely goes beyond the simple assumption that people are only in it for the money. Professional success brings more with it: authority, power, the envy of others, or even just the feeling of having value somewhere. You don’t need to be a psychologist to sense that something’s off about sacrificing everything just to stay productive.
Why Are Hustle Culture’s Consequences Often Overlooked?
The negative effects of hustle culture are rarely considered because, as a society, we’re so deeply immersed in it that we hardly notice. It’s like that old David Foster Wallace joke (and remember that this is only a clumsy paraphrase): two fish swim when another swims by and says, “Hey guys, how’s the water?”. After he leaves, the two fish look at each other and ask, “What’s water?”. Meaning of the joke: the things that shape our reality are often invisible to us because they are so constant and familiar.
One of the most criminally overlooked and, at the same time, one of the most harmful consequences of hustle culture concerns mental health. People often overlook even when involved (i.e., every one of us).
The Mental Health Costs of Hustle Culture That No One Talks About
To start, let’s check out the numbers. We’ve chosen two representative US states – Arkansas and its neighboring Texas, which rank as some of the most burned-out states in the country. We’ll review their mental health statistics to gain a clearer understanding. Remember that these are all post-COVID-19 numbers. While it would be unfair to lay all the blame on unhealthy work culture, these numbers do tell a tale.
What Do the Numbers Tell?
According to data provided by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 40% of adults in Arkansas report experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. Additionally, 25% cannot access the counseling or therapy they need. Also, 125,000 AR adults have serious mental illness, and 35,000 individuals ages 12 to 17 struggle with depression. Hustle culture can hurt even individuals not directly involved in professional work. This would be a home where parents only think about their jobs.
According to the same source, the situation in Texas isn’t any better. About 36.8% of adults in Texas have noticed symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders in themselves, in comparison to 32.3% of adults across the U.S. In Texas, 796,000 adults are affected by serious mental illness, and 314,000 Texans aged 12 to 17 struggle with depression.
Fortunately, both states offer good mental health services. Here, people can rely on Time Wellness Arkansas, a prominent center providing necessary support and services for those struggling with their mental health. This modern facility is also equipped with top-notch tools and a dedicated team to address the effects of hustle culture. Let’s take a look at the most detrimental ones.
Hustle Culture and Chronic Stress
Hustle culture often creates a breeding ground for chronic stress, where individuals are buried under relentless work demands. The success stories of those who have achieved extraordinary milestones through sheer grit and perseverance are often tied to this high-octane lifestyle. These tales can be incredibly captivating, inspiring others to jump on the hustle bandwagon in hopes of mirroring that success. However, behind the glittering façade of these success stories lies a world of constant pressure and burnout, a world often carefully hidden from others.
Hustle Culture and the Ever-Present Fear of Failing
Hustle culture and the fear of failing go hand-in-hand. This fear of falling behind or facing financial instability can push individuals and organizations to work non-stop. It fully embraces hustle culture. This relentless drive to stay ahead often results in a constant chase for the next goal, with the looming worry of what could go wrong. While this mindset might seem essential to avoid setbacks, it frequently leads to the stress and burnout that hustle culture so keenly perpetuates.
The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Anxiety
You know what else goes hand-in-hand? Anxiety and perfectionism – some of hustle culture’s most insidious byproducts. The relentless pursuit of success often fuels both.
With its expectations for flawlessness, perfectionism becomes a merciless taskmaster pushing people over their comfort zones. In addition to increasing stress, this never-ending pursuit of perfection sets up a vicious cycle in which unhappiness and anxiety become the norm. This makes it impossible ever to feel fully successful or happy.
Hustle Culture and (The Lack Of) a Good Night’s Rest
One area many people overlook when discussing the mental health consequences of hustle culture (or anything else) is sleep. Due to our harmful working culture, many believe it’s completely fine to have irregular sleep patterns. Additionally, some choose to work late into the night, completing tasks outside of regular working hours, trying their best to get that worker-of-the-month title. While being sleep-deprived, constantly thinking about work, or working late is often glorified in hustle culture, it will negatively impact your health. Lack of sleep can lead to mental health issues like difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and weakened immunity. Chronic sleep deprivation has also been linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
How to Achieve Optimal Work-Life Balance?
We’ve explored the consequences of hustle culture, and it’s quite clear that they’re not so neat. But there’s also some good news. Achieving a work-life balance is highly possible (even in an unhealthy working culture like ours). You can do much to reclaim your well-being and find a healthier balance. Here are some simple tips and tricks.
Take a Break (You Deserve It)
The key to achieving work-life balance starts with making the most of your breaks. Whether it’s a lunch break or just stepping away (from the screen or your work’s object) for a quick stretch, all of these moments are essential for recharging your batteries. Even the littlest breaks at your desk – a few deep breaths or a short meditation – can make a difference and help res(e)t your mind.
Plan Your Vacations Ahead of Time
Paid time off isn’t just a perk – it’s there for a good reason! If you were to ask your colleagues (try it out), you’d find that nearly half of them or more aren’t using all their vacation days. The reason for this kind of attitude remains unknown (looking at you, hustle culture).
So, if you feel guilty about letting your vacation days go to waste, it’s time to rethink. Plan your time off in advance so it doesn’t slip through the cracks. And remember, vacation days aren’t just for trips to far-off and exotic places. Even a mental health day or a so-called staycation can keep burnout at bay. Don’t let yourself suffer from the mental health costs of hustle culture.
Be Kind to Yourself (Practice Self-Compassion)
Most people seem to be kinder and more respectful to others than they are to themselves – you’ve surely noticed this – for lack of a better word – trend. Give yourself a break when things don’t go as smoothly as you thought. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a good friend. Recognizing that it’s okay to rest can help you avoid burnout and other workplace-related issues.
Conclusion
The mental health costs of hustle culture, often overlooked, are far more significant than the benefits of focusing solely on productivity and work. While these costs may not always be immediately visible, they are too substantial to ignore. It’s worth reflecting on your experiences and how hustle culture might affect your well-being to understand the impact truly. That might be a good start.
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