The 4 Ways Overworking Impacts Your Health (and What to Do About It)

You might be the woman who gets things done. The one others turn to, who juggles work, life, family, and everything in between. But behind that productivity? A body quietly waving the white flag.

While working hard can feel empowering, overworking is a slow-burning stressor that chips away at your health and often, your skin and hormones are the first to show it.

Whether you're a chronic overachiever, a business owner, or simply someone who's been in survival mode for too long, this one’s for you. Here are the 4 ways overworking might be silently affecting your health, and how to start reversing the damage.

1. Hormonal Disruption

When you’re constantly "on," your body prioritises survival over balance. Overworking elevates cortisol (your main stress hormone), which disrupts the delicate dance between your reproductive and thyroid hormones.

What this can look like:

• Irregular or painful periods
• Hair loss or thinning
• Adult acne or skin flares
• Mood swings, low libido, or anxiety

Supportive tips:

• Start the day with protein + healthy fat to support blood sugar balance
• Make time for rest and recovery in your week (yes, schedule it in!)
• Use gentle adaptogens like withania or holy basil to nourish your adrenals

2. Gut + Digestive Health Issues

Ever noticed your digestion is worse when you’re stressed? That’s not a coincidence. Chronic stress slows digestion, alters gut microbiome balance, and can impair nutrient absorption, all of which impact skin, mood, and energy.

What this can look like:

• Bloating, IBS, or reflux
• Skin congestion or breakouts
• Fatigue, even after eating
• Food sensitivities or low immunity

Supportive tips:

• Sit down to eat (no scrolling or rushing!)
• Chew each bite 20–30 times to aid digestion
• Incorporate prebiotic and probiotic foods like leeks, garlic, kimchi and sauerkraut

3. Sleep Dysregulation

Burning the candle at both ends? Your body can only handle that for so long. Poor sleep affects every system in the body from hormone production to skin regeneration.

What this can look like:

• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Waking up at 2-4am wired or anxious
• Puffy eyes, dull skin, or slow healing
• Cravings for sugar or coffee to push through

Supportive tips:

• Set a consistent bedtime and wake time
• Avoid screens 1 hour before sleep; opt for books, journalling, or gentle stretching
• Add calming herbs like chamomile or lemon balm tea to your evening routine

4. Nervous System Overload

Your nervous system is like your body’s control centre. When it’s constantly in "go mode," your body can't access the deep rest it needs for repair. That means healing (especially for skin) takes a backseat.

What this can look like:

• Feeling constantly on edge or irritable
• Flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or TSW
• Fatigue and overwhelm
• Difficulty concentrating or feeling present

Supportive tips:

• Try breathwork or meditation for 5 minutes a day
• Spend time in nature without your phone
• Seek out safe touch (hugs, massage, or weighted blankets)

You Can Still Do Big Things (Without Burning Out)

Healing isn’t about giving up your goals, it’s about finding a more sustainable way forward. Your body is incredibly resilient, but it needs you to meet it halfway. That starts with slowing down, nourishing yourself, and rebuilding the foundations of health that overworking may have eroded.

Want to rebuild your health from the ground up? The Foundations of Health Guide walks you through the 6 pillars that support your skin, hormones, energy and overall wellbeing without the overwhelm.

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