Superhuman efforts on TV

A lot of my favourite TV shows are based around workaholic cultures.

Even though they're seemingly set in the real world, many of the characters exhibit superhero willpower when it comes to getting the job done. In the last few days, I watched:

ER - Dr Abby Lockhart picked herself up from the ground after an ambulance exploded (with her in it) and refused to accept treatment for her broken arm until she'd helped a lot of other victims. (Who knows what the outcome for Dr Greg Pratt might have been if he'd focused on his own recovery instead of getting all the medics organised?)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Grissom, Willows and the rest of the team worked (admittedly in sombre silence) to put Warrick's killer away. Grissom only changed out of his blood stained shirt when a colleague needed to bag it as evidence.

CSI: New York - Mac regained consciousness after his hostage ordeal and avoided drowning by fighting free from the car, swimming to dry land then, not even stopping to get his breath back, fighting his way through enormous reeds that made him look the size of a mouse. Back at the office, he had a quick shower before leading the team in tracking down the suspect. Stella, in pursuit of said suspect was thrown over the side of a building but managed to haul herself back to safety pausing only to phone work with info on the case. Again, she didn't stop to catch her breath (and, of course, not a hair was out of place).

These are just a few examples.

As well as proving that I watch too much TV, it also makes me think working when not well is pretty normal.

But at what cost? I heard about a dancer recently who was told she'd risk paralysis if she walked let alone danced after injury. She seriously considered going on even though her employers had already replaced her.

Before automatically soldiering on next time you need a break, ask yourself why you feel unable to pay attention to your body. Will working extra hard secure your job or lead to illness?

Without your health and wellbeing, you can't work.

Taking care of yourself means you'll do a better job, be more efficient and also maintain health and fitness so you avoid burning out.

Watch these shows for entertainment but don't view them as lifestyle advice.

© Eve Menezes Cunningham / http://www.applecoaching.com/ 2009.