Toxic Productivity: The Impact on Mental Health
Hyperperformance and psychological distress: The emotional costs of constant performance
The culture of maximizing performance and productivity is not only transforming our work environments but also our lives, generating profound consequences for mental health. The imperative to give our all at every moment, combined with increasingly demanding expectations, permeates all spheres of life, creating deep unease in those subjected to its constant demands.
Anxiety
Anxiety has become a widespread problem in this context of constant self-imposed pressure. People experience excessive and persistent worry about their performance, upcoming assessments, or future projects. This anxiety manifests not only in psychological symptoms such as restlessness, rumination, or difficulty concentrating, but also in physical symptoms such as muscle tension, sleep problems, or digestive issues. The feeling of always being “on high alert” makes it difficult to truly disconnect from work, creating a cycle of exhaustion and constant worry.
Feelings of inadequacy
The chronic feeling of inadequacy is another significant emotional cost. The sense of never living up to expectations, whether self-imposed or perceived from others, generates a state of persistent dissatisfaction. This feeling is exacerbated by social media and corporate culture, which present idealized models of seemingly effortless success and productivity. The gap between these ideals and perceived reality fuels self-criticism and self-deprecation.
Overthinking
The ruminative thought patterns characteristic of these emotional states lead many people to a state of constant overthinking. The mind remains occupied analyzing past or future scenarios, searching for ways to optimize performance, or anticipating potential failures. This incessant mental activity not only consumes a tremendous amount of psychic energy but also interferes with the ability to be present and enjoy moments of genuine rest.
Uncertainty and fear of failure
Uncertainty and fear of failure drive increasingly self-demanding behaviors. People develop compensatory strategies such as excessive perfectionism or overwork, which paradoxically increase the risk of burnout and declining performance. This cycle of fear-self-demand-burnout can lead to anxiety attacks or depressive episodes when the system finally collapses.
Approach
Given this situation, it is essential to develop strategies that address both the individual and systemic aspects of the problem. At an individual level, therapeutic work can help identify and modify dysfunctional psychological patterns, develop a healthier relationship with our ideals, and make decisions that influence the factors causing distress.
Beyond “you can”
Positive psychology, with slogans like “if you want it, you can,” “if you visualize it, it will happen,” “get the best version of yourself,” “just do it,” can actually worsen the situation by increasing self-demand and making change dependent on the person’s mere attitude or willpower.
Therapeutic work would involve identifying existing attachment patterns and the feelings and beliefs that underpin them (self-reproach, self-imposed demands, negative self-perceptions). Overcoming these psychological difficulties requires a profound change in our relationship with our lives and values. It is necessary to develop more realistic and less guilt-inducing and self-demanding views on performance and personal worth, allowing for growth without sacrificing mental health and emotional well-being.
Marcos Böcker
687454124
