Work can subtly turn into a coping mechanism for stress in other areas of our lives. Being able to recognize this, pinpoint where it comes from, and find other ways to cope can help us deal with stress more effectively and use work more appropriately.
A hard work ethic is certainly a valuable, admirable, and important characteristic. But like most good things, there is a tipping point at which hard work can become somewhat of a problem. The popularized idea that American culture “glorifies busyness” is only part of this issue; it is simply the environment that enables us to normalize our situation when our work habits become problematic.