People in leadership roles with immense pressure to deliver results are also highly susceptible to toxic productivity—as are young professionals just entering the workforce, who feel the need to prove themselves. “This makes them more likely to push past their limits,” explains Dr. Schneider.
Toxic productivity’s effects on your health and personal life
Toxic productivity can lead to a wide range of issues, according to Dr. Schneider. On a mental level, stress signals such as racing thoughts, emotional numbness, irritability, tension, restlessness, and feelings of shame or guilt may come to the fore, “often accompanied by physical symptoms like sleep disturbances, pain, or digestive problems,” she says. “Prolonged stress can lead to more severe psychological problems, such as burnout, depression, or panic attacks.”
Additionally, in the context of their personal lives, those prone to toxic productivity frequently experience interpersonal conflicts, as their partners, hobbies, and social connections are often neglected.
“Strong performance requires non-performance”
Being productive all the time does not actually lead to an increase in productivity. According to Dr. Schneider, in fact, the exact opposite is true. “Those affected are constantly in survival mode, which makes them less creative, more prone to errors, and less focused,” she explains. “No one can perform at their peak every single day. We see this even in elite sports: Despite the best training, performance naturally fluctuates.”
She also emphasizes the importance of balance, saying: “Strong performance requires non-performance. Breaks and recovery phases are essential for sustainable productivity.”
However, for individuals who derive their sense of self-worth solely from productivity, relaxation is anything but easy. “For them, it’s often an uncomfortable state because they are no longer accustomed to calming their nervous system,” Dr. Schneider explains. As a result, some people must consciously and painstakingly relearn how to take breaks.
How can you protect yourself from sliding into toxic productivity?
It is important to develop a healthy relationship with productivity, Dr. Schneider emphasizes. This involves realistically assessing how many tasks can be completed within a specific time frame, with space for breaks and natural lags in performance factored in.
“Regular breaks are essential, even if they are just micro-breaks where you truly do nothing—perhaps stretch briefly, take a deep breath, make a cup of tea, or simply gaze into the distance,” Dr. Schneider says.
