From color-coded planners to crowded to-do lists to fit in a singular morning, life can sometimes feel like a race against the clock. We have all seen at least once in our social media feeds a “morning routine,” filled with endless steps and reminders that every minute should be used efficiently. While that reminds us that time is precious and that surely every minute counts, society’s growing obsession to constantly be involved in something raises important questions: don’t we deserve a break from our fast-paced lives? How much productivity is too much productivity? As expectations drive us to always work harder than the previous time, it has become evident that society has placed an unhealthy emphasis on keeping ourselves productive, often sacrificing well-being and meaningful rest on our bodies.

The idea that our time has to always be used efficiently to achieve is rooted in history. As seen, historical practices have long adopted this concept, incorporating it into American culture. The fact that workers in almost all sectors have work hours of 40 and sometimes more during a week shows that it is a normalized standard to overwork. Others with different races, genders and particularly women are more likely to work in jobs that do not have paid leave. As a result, American practices prevent some people from having any  downtime. Even when not at work or at school, people face pressure to always perform and achieve, encouraging “toxic productivity.”

Toxic productivity refers to the obsession with working and achieving that is seen as unhealthy, ultimately making some people feel guilty and even afraid that they are not “doing enough.” Whereas now taking a break might be seen as laziness, causes of toxic productivity often comes from others. For example, this influence can come from places like social media, where achievements are glorified or falling into peer pressure because of seeing your peers overwork. The fear of not living up to expectations in a society that is built around overworking will most likely push people into overworking themselves to feel like they belong.

Additionally, toxic productivity can lead to many health problems that create an unhealthy addiction. Major problems are seen to be insomnia, anxiety, feeling burnt out and depression. While our anxiety often drives us to care about our work and get it done, if depression is present, the work is still there but suddenly we don’t have the motivation anymore. It is ironic, to have an addiction that is supposed to pressure us into endless work but could actually end up making us do the opposite because of how it’s impacting peoples’ mental health. In a survey published in August 2023, Pew Research Center found that 46% of American employees take less time off of work than what their bosses gave them. Those same employees claimed it was because they were too afraid they would fall behind at work or felt they didn’t need to take more time off work.

Another survey of 50 students, sophomores and juniors at Manheim Township High School, found that about 64% of those students felt burnt out by the end of their first semester. They were also asked how many nights had been spent only studying over the course of one month. 48% of students reported having all nighters more than five times a month, with some reporting often two times in a single week if necessary to prepare for tests. Another 34% admitted that they refused to go out unless they were fully done with work.

Looking at those reasons, it’s clear their fear didn’t come out of nowhere. Our society and practices are most likely to blame for having trained workers and students into the norms of overworking to ensure that we do well. And while you are rewarded, whether it is from the praise of others or inner pride, our overall health can take a serious toll in the process. Caring about school work is essential, but living with an unhealthy relationship with work generates more problems for ourselves. It is understandable that we want to achieve and not fall behind, but doing so in an unhealthy way will do more harm than good in the end. Maintaining a balance between work and an outside life is more crucial than just pressuring ourselves to always be our best, most productive self all the time, we are not meant to be machines.