Being a workaholic is both a blessing and a curse.

It’s different than being someone who likes to work. Workaholics become obsessed with work, almost to a dangerous point, according to an article on healthday.com

And it goes unnoticed by so many.

I’ve heard several people tell me how lucky I am to be such a focused, determined student. And sure, it can be very beneficial in getting projects done and putting in extra effort, but it also has its limitations.

I don’t rely on people to help me solve problems, and I hardly ask questions in class. If I can’t figure something out, I do the research myself or ask my professor for additional material instead of asking for their help.

I’ve never liked people doing things for me, which has helped me become a stronger student and worker.

But on the other hand, I have a very small circle of friends and never spend time relaxing.

I don’t like to be distracted from my goals, which often leaves me pushing people out of my life. I find myself struggling to maintain friendships and relationships because I am a workaholic.

Even my family gets left behind.

I also get so absorbed in my classes, work and extracurricular activities that I forget to give myself time to relax, which causes a lot of stress and anxiety.

And when you are so consumed in your work, you can’t sleep at night. You lay awake all night thinking about how you can improve your next project, or what you need to do in the morning. It’s awful.

It is hard for workaholics to take the time to not worry about what we are doing, and it is a terrible problem that workaholics face. In fact, workaholics can face insomnia, anxiety and heart disease on top of ruined marriages, according to an article on forbes.com.

But breaking the habit is very difficult.

My recommendation for college students who struggle finding the balance of work and family is to make a schedule.

Every day I create a list of things I need to get done and what I need to do to relax. I also write down when I called or visited my parents so I know if it has been a while since I talked to them.

Being able to see what you are doing will help you not overwork and keep you from not talking to your family for months, which I am guilty of.

I also recommend picking up running, yoga or meditation. Doing just one of these things for 30 minutes a day can keep you relaxed.

While doing these things seem difficult to the workaholic, it can actually improve your work, reducing your stress levels and keeping you healthy, which allows you to work better and smarter, something workaholics love.

According to health.harvard.edu, exercising can reduce the anxiety, insomnia and heart disease risks caused by being a workaholic.

Students who are workaholics should find the time to relax before the problem becomes too serious.