Are you sacrificing your health for what you think is high performance?

How do we define professional success? Traditionally, it might have been by salary and corner offices, but today it's more often about how busy and overwhelmed we are.

Despite technology reducing the time needed for tasks, Americans work more than ever, creating a culture of "busyness" at work and home. With technology's advent, professionals are expected to be available 24/7. Even stay-at-home spouses are busier now! Economist Juliet Schor notes that from 1925-1965, time spent on laundry in the U.S. increased significantly after the invention of automatic washers and dryers. Tools like computers and washing machines, designed to save time, are consuming more of it as standards rise with capability.

Although this is a global issue, America epitomizes busyness. There is a rigorous American work ethic when compared to the more relaxed lifestyles of European countries. Italian workers get 42 paid vacation days annually. While this may seem extreme, Germany, known for its work ethic and efficiency, offers 35 paid vacation days each year. In contrast, America offers only 12, with many of these days going unused.

Why do we do this? Does more work make us more productive? Not necessarily.

Research shows America is slipping in productivity rankings while work hours rise. A 2016 YouGov UK study ranked America as the 10th most productive nation, yet it works the most hours among the top ten.

Americans are literally working themselves to death. Overtime, overscheduling, commuting, unpaid labor, housework, higher cleanliness standards, church service, time costs, and media use leave no time for ourselves, yet we glorify this. We use busyness to boost our egos, filling our time with activities because we believe we're indispensable.

This culture of busyness is making the nation unhealthy, both mentally and physically.

America has consistently ranked in the 30s for healthiness globally, recently moving to 28th, according to Bloomberg. Stress and overwork contribute to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, infertility, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and sleep deprivation.

Ariana Huffington, a successful modern woman, called America's obsession with time a "personal deficit crisis," adding, "As long as success is defined by long hours, little vacation, minimal sleep, and responding to emails at odd hours, we'll never enjoy time affluence."

Why do we glorify "time famine?" Are we pursuing the "good life?" You're missing it! The good happens while you're busy working. Do you work hard to retire and relax on a beach with your kids? You can do that now!

Take a vacation, or maybe just a full weekend off... If that feels impossible, consider leaning on the support of an executive assistant.

Relax and de-stress. Clear your mind and give the world your best. When you're happy, well-rested, and relaxed, productivity increases, relationships improve, and you'll find the "good life" was always within reach.