The Hidden Cost of “Pushing Through”: Why Mental Health Matters at Work
It was only a few years ago that I was in my former boss’s office discussing my professional updates. I was adjusting to being a full-time tenure-track faculty member, and I had just started my doctoral program. After updating my supervisor about my progress submitting conference proposals, writing an article for publication, serving on various universities and committees, teaching my full course load (all requirements for being on the tenure track) and sharing my excitement for my doctoral journey, she smiled at me and asked, “so when are you going to resume your clinical practice?”
I looked at her wide-eyed. “Practice?” I asked, with unsurmountable disbelief. Did she not hear anything I just said? “I’m full-time here and a full-time doctoral student. I don’t know when I’ll be able to practice again. Realistically, it won’t be until after I graduate.”
She smiled and replied, “I’m asking because I know you are very proud of your license. What are you doing to keep your clinical skills active?”
Still in my disbelief, I returned her smile and said, “I know you are just trying to push me, but honestly, it often feels like you are trying to push me off a cliff!”
Then it was her time to stare at me in utter disbelief.
The Hidden Cost of “Pushing Through”
We’ve all heard it before: “Just push through.”
Push through the long hours. Push through the never-ending deadlines. Push through the stress, the exhaustion, the moments where your body, mind, and spirit are screaming for rest as they rapidly spiral towards the edge of a cliff with sharp, pointy rocks at the bottom.
But here’s the truth: pushing through comes with a cost. Too often, that cost is our mental health.
In professional spaces, we’ve been conditioned to value productivity over well-being, perfection over completion, appearances over authenticity, and resilience over rest. We wear “busy” like a badge of honor, but behind that badge, many of us are exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves.
The irony? Ignoring mental health doesn’t make us stronger professionals. It makes us less effective, less present, and less fulfilled.
The Price of Neglecting Mental Health
When we ignore mental health in the workplace, the impact shows up everywhere:
Burnout: Mental and emotional exhaustion that leaves you feeling drained, detached, and unable to perform at your best.
Decreased Productivity: Despite the long hours, your output and creativity decline.
High Turnover & Disengagement: For organizations, ignoring mental health means losing talented people who simply can’t (and won’t) keep “pushing through.”
Physical Health Issues: Stress can manifest in headaches, insomnia, weakened immune systems, and long-term health challenges.
The cost of neglecting or ignoring our mental health isn’t just personal; it’s professional, organizational, and societal.
Shifting the Narrative: Success Doesn’t Require Sacrifice
Here’s the good news: success does not require self-sacrifice. Taking care of your mental health does not mean you’re weak; it means you’re wise. It means you understand that thriving professionally requires wholeness and that your value is not measured solely by your productivity.
The professionals who make the greatest impact are not the ones running on empty; they’re the ones who pause, reset, and protect their energy.
3 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health at Work
Whether you’re an individual professional, a leader of a team, or someone navigating multiple roles, here are a few ways to start prioritizing your mental health without guilt:
Redefine Productivity
Productivity isn’t about how many hours you work but the quality of your impact. Challenge the idea that being “always on” is the same as being effective- it’s not. Also, remind yourself that restoring and replenishing your resources is productive too.Set Boundaries, Not Barriers
Boundaries are not walls; they’re bridges to healthier, more sustainable work. Start with small steps: logging off at a reasonable time, blocking out focus hours, or saying “no” to one extra commitment this week. Remember, no one is paying you to work for free. If your contract requires 40 hours a week, work for 40 hours. Everything will get done when it needs to be done. And if your responsibilities don’t reasonably fit into 40 hours, then maybe it’s time to recalibrate.Normalize Rest
Rest is not a reward you earn after burnout or even after a full day’s work. Rest is a non-negotiable part of showing up fully in your life and work. Normalize taking breaks. Normalize unplugging. Normalize mental health days. Normalize rest.
A Call to Leaders
If you lead a team or organization, know this: your people are watching (and talking). When you model healthy practices, you give others permission to do the same. Build a culture where mental health is not just a side conversation, but a central part of how you operate.
Be the leader you know you are and were hired to be. Prioritize rest for yourself and advocate for it for others. Start some “good trouble.” Your team’s morale will feel the difference.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to succeed. You don’t have to push through every storm. You don’t have to choose between professional growth and personal health.
You can thrive in life, work, and self without losing yourself in the process.
Let’s start by rewriting the narrative together: mental health matters at work, and when we protect it, everybody wins.
FAQs
1. What are some signs that I may be “pushing through” too much?
Early warning signs may include constant fatigue, irritability, loss of motivation, physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia, and feeling disconnected from your work or personal life. Symptoms of burnout (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, and a diminished sense of professional efficacy) also indicate that something isn’t right.
2. You say we need to set boundaries and say no. What if I can’t?
You are not alone. Speaking up for yourself, resetting boundaries, and making the “hard” decision to rest are challenging. You may not always be in a supportive environment that allows you to do so. If that is the case, ask yourself if that is an environment you want to remain in. If it’s possible to make a move, do it. If not, consider how you can negotiate boundaries within it. Experiment and see what’s possible; you may be surprised at the results.
4. Isn’t pushing through sometimes necessary?
Yes, of course. There are moments when perseverance matters, but they are just that-moments. If pushing through becomes the default mode, it can lead to burnout and long-term harm. Balance is key. So ask yourself: am I being guided, pushed, shoved, or overtly abused?
