Why Do Some People Work Too Much? And How Can Therapy Help?

In a culture that glorifies the hustle, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our worth is tied to our productivity. Working hard is often seen as a virtue, a badge of honor that signals ambition, resilience, and dedication. But when does working hard cross the line into workaholism? And why do so many people struggle to slow down, even when they know it’s taking a toll on their mental and physical health?

As a therapist in Hermosa Beach, I often see individuals who struggle with this exact issue. They come into therapy exhausted, burned out, and feeling disconnected from their own lives. They know they’re overworking, but they don’t know how to stop. If this sounds familiar, individual therapy can help you untangle the deeper reasons behind your workaholism and help you build a healthier, more balanced relationship with work.

Why Are We Addicted to Being Busy?

Psychologists suggest that for some, workaholism is more than just a bad habit—it can actually function like an addiction. When we accomplish a task, our brain releases dopamine, a pleasure-inducing hormone that reinforces the behavior. Over time, we crave that dopamine hit, driving us to take on more and more work just to feel productive and valuable.

But the need to stay busy all the time isn’t just about dopamine. Here are some deeper psychological factors that might be driving your overworking tendencies:

1. Work as a Status Symbol

In our society, being busy is often equated with being important. The more packed your schedule is, the more successful and valuable you appear to be. This is especially true in competitive career fields where long hours are expected. The problem? The constant need to prove yourself through work can make it impossible to ever truly feel “good enough.” Therapy in Hermosa Beach can help you break free from this cycle and redefine success on your own terms.

2. Fear of Missing Out (FoMO)

FoMO isn’t just about social events—it also applies to career opportunities. You might take on extra projects, side hustles, or overtime shifts because you’re afraid of falling behind. But this constant drive can leave you feeling stretched too thin, unable to enjoy the life you’re working so hard to build. Individual therapy can help you challenge these fears and set healthier boundaries with work.

3. Work as a Coping Mechanism

For some people, staying busy is a way to avoid dealing with difficult emotions. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or past trauma, immersing yourself in work can provide temporary relief. But in the long run, it doesn’t actually address the root of the issue—it just delays the healing process. This is where therapy in Hermosa Beach can be a game-changer. A therapist can help you develop healthier ways to process your emotions so you don’t have to rely on overworking as a distraction.

4. Childhood Conditioning

Many workaholics grew up in environments where love and approval were conditional on achievement. If you were praised for getting good grades, making the team, or being “the responsible one,” you might have internalized the belief that your worth is tied to what you accomplish. As an adult, this can manifest as workaholism. Therapy in Hermosa Beach can help you unlearn these patterns and develop a sense of self-worth that isn’t dependent on your productivity.

The Health Risks of Workaholism

Overworking doesn’t just impact your mental health—it can have serious physical consequences as well. Chronic stress from workaholism has been linked to:

• Anxiety and depression – Constantly being in “work mode” leaves little time for relaxation and emotional processing, which can lead to persistent feelings of stress and sadness.
• Heart disease and high blood pressure – Chronic stress keeps your body in fight-or-flight mode, putting extra strain on your cardiovascular system.
• Insomnia and sleep disorders – An overactive mind makes it difficult to wind down, leading to disrupted sleep patterns.
• Weakened immune system – Stress hormones suppress immune function, making you more susceptible to illness.
• Burnout and exhaustion – Working too much without breaks can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, making it difficult to function in daily life.

How Therapy in Hermosa Beach Can Help

If you recognize yourself in any of these patterns, individual therapy can provide the support and tools you need to break free from workaholism. Here’s how therapy can help:

1. Identifying the Root Cause

Your therapist will help you explore the underlying reasons why you feel compelled to overwork. Are you trying to prove your worth? Are you avoiding difficult emotions? Understanding the root cause is the first step toward making lasting changes.

2. Challenging Negative Beliefs

Many people who struggle with workaholism hold deeply ingrained beliefs about success and self-worth. A therapist in Hermosa Beach can help you challenge these beliefs and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives.

3. Developing Healthier Coping Mechanisms

Instead of using work as a way to manage stress or anxiety, therapy can help you develop alternative coping strategies. This might include mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, or setting boundaries around work hours.

4. Learning to Set Boundaries

If you struggle with saying “no” to extra work, therapy can help you practice setting and enforcing boundaries. This might involve creating a work-life balance plan, learning to delegate tasks, or setting specific hours when you disconnect from work.

5. Processing Trauma

For some, workaholism is linked to unprocessed trauma. If your need to stay busy is rooted in past experiences, therapy in Hermosa Beach can provide a safe space to process and heal from these wounds.

Finding Balance: A Gentle Reminder

No matter how much society celebrates the go-getter mentality, it’s important to remember that your worth is not determined by your productivity. Slowing down doesn’t mean you’re lazy—it means you’re human.

If you’re struggling with workaholism, individual therapy can help you reclaim your time, your energy, and your life. A therapist in Hermosa Beach can support you in finding a healthier, more sustainable way to engage with work—one that allows you to succeed without sacrificing your well-being.

If this resonates with you, consider reaching out for therapy in Hermosa Beach. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Balance is possible, and you deserve a life that isn’t just productive, but also fulfilling.