When did working become so unhealthy?

Like an epidemic it is sweeping across London infecting those who once had a social life and perspective. It is leaving those affected with constant exhaustion, lack of clarity and hunched shoulders.

A temporary cure it seems is short, sharp bouts of intoxication accompanied by monotonous, mundane whinging surrounding the very place they are seeking to escape from. This alcoholic ritual is then ended with a wallet stuffed full of forgotten bar receipts that can or cannot be expensed. The latter usually determined by the ability to get past ‘fuzzy head’ syndrome the morning after.

It is so tempting to account these habitual patterns of escapism as a healthy release. But is it? When nothing is resolved and you’ve lost the ability to resume conversations with normal everyday civilians about the joy of life.

Other more enduring side-effects are general lack of sleep, the lost art of home-cooking, tunnel vision and a stubborn denial that nourishment exists outside the work place.

For some, there are more serious consequences. This can involve a break-down of a relationship – because if your absence is the only thing you can bring to a duo, then surely it is doomed. And potentially more fateful, is the loss of yourself – of who you are and what you do beyond your ‘nine to five’ job.

Its reached epidemic proportions. Like a relentless virus it shows no mercy, even to those of the strongest will. It thrives on the inability of individuals to say no. And when the rest have given in, it is no easy feat to stand alone and not succumb.

So are there any preventative measures one can take? Just the one – don’t get a job in advertising.