I need to be able to cook dinner without thinking of the work I need to complete later that night. I need to be able to watch this is us and ugly cry every time the characters do, well, anything in that show.Cognitive levels of learning I need to be able to play with our cats and joke around with my husband. I need to read that book that I’ve had forever and I’m still only three chapters into.Cognitive levels of learning

If you find yourself nodding along and this sounds like you, hear me when I say that you are not alone. Sadly, this is a big problem in america.Cognitive levels of learning for some reason, our society has developed such a workaholic culture. Have you ever heard someone talk about how late they stayed at work? How much time they spent on the weekend preparing for the work week?Cognitive levels of learning

I believe it. Based on my own experiences, depression is extremely hard to get through. Before I began my current career, I was typically a happy person.Cognitive levels of learning it took a lot to bring me down and I could not understand why people couldn’t just shake off their depression and anxiety. Why couldn’t they let it go?Cognitive levels of learning why couldn’t they stop dwelling on whatever made them unhappy, and enjoy life?

But once I entered a career that required me to work from 7:00 a.M.Cognitive levels of learning to 7:00 p.M. On average, to bring work home, to work on the weekends to simply keep up with the workload, I began to understand why. I began to understand why people did not have the energy or motivation to take care of themselves.Cognitive levels of learning to do even the simplest, basic chores around the house. To ignore work and deadlines, even if it created a bigger problem later on. To curl up in bed and ignore their phones, ringing and chirping with calls and text messages from concerned family members and friends.Cognitive levels of learning I understood why, for the first time.

Depression robs you of the willpower to do anything with your life. Got an important exam you can’t miss?Cognitive levels of learning need to attend a nephew’s birthday party? Need to do some chores around the house so that your hardworking spouse doesn’t have to do it all?Cognitive levels of learning if you have depression, you will likely miss out on those important things then feel overwhelming guilt that you didn’t do those important things.Cognitive levels of learning

For me, I leaned on my husband and coworkers who were going through the same work-related issues. Instead of bringing work home, I decompressed by watching movies and updating my personal blog.Cognitive levels of learning I stopped devoting my entire weekend to work. I spoke with friends and family. I began a new hobby, learning photography. I focused on myself.Cognitive levels of learning I practiced self-care. And slowly but surely, I began to climb out of my depression. Am I completely better? No, and I probably won’t be completely better until I change careers.Cognitive levels of learning

If there’s one thing my current career has taught me, it’s that being a workaholic is not good for me. I cannot spend that much time on work without my mental health suffering.Cognitive levels of learning and that’s a realization that I’ve had to accept. I spent a long time feeling guilty, thinking “well, my coworkers can do it. Why can’t I?” but you know what?Cognitive levels of learning comparison is the thief of joy. I’m not going to let my mental health suffer any longer by trying to keep up with my coworkers. I’m not going to continue to work 12-hour days every day and most of my weekends just to keep up with the workload.Cognitive levels of learning

And if you don’t want to work that often either, then don’t. If you’re not a workaholic, get out of that environment and start looking for a better job, a job that will allow you to have a good work-life balance.Cognitive levels of learning A job that will allow you to spend time with your family, to decompress when you come home, to rest and recharge. While you’re looking for a better job, start taking better care of yourself.Cognitive levels of learning

Go do some activities that bring you joy. Perhaps it’s painting or taking a yoga class. Go talk to a loved one, whether that’s a spouse, a parent, or a friend.Cognitive levels of learning if you feel like you need more help, go talk to a licensed professional. They may prescribe you medicine and if they do, that’s perfectly OK.Cognitive levels of learning we all need a little extra help sometimes.