A new popular notion known as 'hustle culture' has been making the rounds on most social media platforms. This concept refers to people who feel pressured to work constantly, without rest, to make money and be productive. This is done because those who follow the culture feel that doing so will make them successful and that they will achieve all they have set out to achieve. Outwardly, hustle culture is sometimes portrayed as a high-energy, motivational movement with predictable rewards. In reality, truth may be the exact opposite.

Excess- not always the answer

Long working hours can raise blood pressure and heart rate as a result of psychological overactivity and stress. It also contributes to insulin resistance, arrhythmia, hypercoagulation, and ischemia in people with a high atherosclerotic burden and impaired glucose metabolism (diabetes). Furthermore, it increases the risk of poor mental health, such as depressive symptoms, decreased emotional well-being, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This can result in work disability and a lower quality of life.[i]

Overall, research indicates that hustle culture has the potential to completely take over people's lives. Productivity is always lauded, but there comes a time when prioritizing physical and mental well-being is absolutely essential. The consequences of burnout are severe, and unfortunately, it is becoming more common.

Organizations need to play their part right

An outsider might view hustle culture as an energetic, motivational way of working. For many employees, working extra hours is the step to climbing the corporate ladder faster. Organizations also play a very crucial part in making or breaking this string. Today, it is critical for organizations to reflect on hustle culture and develop a better understanding of how it affects employee expectations in the realities of the modern workforce. Furthermore, the consequences of burnout have a negative impact on employee satisfaction, performance, and their quality of life. Given the increased emphasis on work-life balance, particularly in the corporate setting, such consequences contrast with workplace attitudes and behaviors. The evolution of hustle culture may accelerate in the coming years, as we see an increase in gig employment, in which organizations hire independent workers for short-term projects. Gig employment, then, positions employees to enable a consistent workstream to ensure financial stability.

Check for the signs

Social media can amplify this aspect of hustle culture since it encourages us to compare our lives to the seeming “perfection” of the lives of others.

It should also be remembered that sometimes the busyness keeps sad thoughts away, or it becomes a way of avoiding the conflicts at home.

When there is burnout, the following are seen :

1. One takes longer to do tasks

2. There is procrastination, or one avoids work altogether

3. One tends to make more mistakes when doing tasks

4. One loses interest in parts of the job that one used to really enjoy

5. One feels more anxious or depressed

6. One feels less able to listen to or care for others

Bringing forth a lifestyle change

Many business moguls would applaud you for all those days of grit and sacrifice; some CEOs would reward that dedication with a raise or a promotion; and there are countless memes on Instagram to keep you “motivated” when things get tough.

In other words, proponents of hustle culture will tell you that "busier always equals better,” and that constant busyness will always lead to more money, prestige, happiness and high self-esteem.

It also often sets up an environment of fear, guilt and shame, especially when you don’t feel like running at the same pace as everyone around you.

As a result, as an employee you may:

1.Feel obligated to say “yes” to taking on all the tasks, being on all the committees, and attending all of the meetings (even the ones that don’t really matter to your role) to avoid being judged or losing your job

2.Feel hesitant to use sick or personal days or even take a full hour for lunch

3.Answer calls or emails, after hours or on weekends

4.Force positivity and push yourself beyond your boundaries.

Working long hours can also cause physical ailments e.g., it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and even stroke.

So, what should one do?

• Keep track of your energy levels.
• Schedule your rest days and hobby time, it is ok to do things for yourself
• Look at which tasks you like doing and make the biggest impact in your life. This can help you narrow down on what really makes a difference at your job

• Get clear on your boundaries
• Define what “success” looks like to you, which is unlikely to be what the social media says it must be

Eventually, while hard work can certainly reap benefits, we can still make more room to appreciate the little things that have us feeling fulfilled

Dr. Kersi Chavda

Consultant Psychiatry

PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, Mumbai