Working hard is a good thing but there’s a fine line between working hard and becoming a workaholic. Workaholism poses both physical and mental health risks resulting in damaged interpersonal relationships, health problems, diminished life satisfaction, distorted thinking and impoverished social relationships.

You find yourself obsessing or continually thinking about work during your off-work hours. Even when you are trying to relax such as taking a walk, going for a relaxing spa, watching a movie or reading a book, you can’t seem to take your mind off your work. You feel uncomfortable or bored with conversing about any other subject besides work.

Your family and friends have hinted to you that they hardly see you, not always paying attention to them and not interested in what they’re saying, preferring to discuss your work instead. When you are outside of work at a party, family reunion or at the dinner table, you constantly bring up subjects of work. You constantly bring work home with you and often work during the evenings and at weekends too.

You spend all your time focusing on work-related tasks that you frequently forget about basic chores, health-related appointments or other important appointments outside of work. You think too much about work that everything else escapes your notice.

You refuse to shorten your work day by delegating tasks to others, preferring to do everything yourself, even if it means you'll have to work late into the night. You strongly feel that the work doesn’t get done correctly unless you do it yourself.

Learning how not to be a workaholic takes time and discipline but with a little practice, you will be able to find a balance between your work and your life. There are several things you can do to avoid becoming a workaholic.

Make sure that you devote as much importance to your family, leisure and relaxation time as you do to your working hours. If you feel that you can't take a long vacation, start small by taking a long weekend. You will be more productive when you give yourself a chance to relax. You can also set aside one day of the week as a day of rest. Be strict with yourself in not working on that day.

Set aside at least 30 minutes each day for exercise and make that part of your routine. Try and pick an exercise that you enjoy and do it at a time that suits you. Your body needs to be conditioned and working non-stop isn't going to give it the proper physical conditioning it needs.

Prioritise your workload and accept that there are only so many hours in the day. Don’t be tempted to add on to the time at the end of the day. Work on something and finish it first. Then move on to the next rather than doing all things at the same time. Write down things that need to be worked on immediately or are urgent, keeping the least ones at the bottom of your list. Set sensible limits on your work so that it doesn't eat up the rest of your life.

Make it a point to get enough sleep and plenty of rest. Foregoing sleep is unlikely to make you more productive in the long run. When you find yourself nodding off at your desk or day dreaming and losing focus, you are no longer productive. It’s better to get a full night’s rest and be fresh in the morning than to stay up late and work inefficiently.

If you’re in a position to delegate certain elements of your work to others, do so. Don't take on every project. Shorten your work day by delegating tasks to others and don’t do everything by yourself in an effort to strive for perfection.

Don’t only think about work. A non-work related hobby is a great way to take your mind away from the office. There are plenty of activities you can engage yourself in when not at work.

Always remember that you work so you can live and have a comfortable life. You work to live, not live to work. Working is just one of the many useful and fruitful activities you do that enables you to live a good life and give your family their needs. By incorporating life enhancing practices into your everyday routine, you can become more productive.