Working long hours, regardless of the reason, comes with a price. Whether it is trying to survive in the gig economy, working from home, constantly zooming. Work has become part of our life everywhere at any time.
There is a problem with spending too much time working.
It is deadly.
Too much work is a health risk
The World Health Organization reports that in 2016, 488 million people or about 9% of the population worked more than 55 hours per week. This was linked to 745,000 deaths while increasing the risk of stroke by 19% and heart disease by 42%.
The cost of working too much
Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, at the World Health Organization states,
“Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard.”
Dr Maria Neira
Not only is it stressful to work long hours, increasing blood pressure and stress hormones too much work means less time to look after ourselves. Working long hours has been linked to mental health problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and diabetes. Working hours are often traded for sleeping and exercising.
Another study published in The Lancet in 2015 showed that working more than 55 hours per week was associated with a 13% increase in heart attacks and a 33% increase in stroke. This was after adjusting for other unhealthy behaviours associated with working too much, ones like smoking, alcohol, and high cholesterol.
With more people working from home, being constantly connected to the office and feeling the pressure to always be available this will inevitably lead to more people suffering negative consequences.
What can you do?
There is no easy answer, especially since the reasons for long hours are varied.
However, if you are in control of your schedule, set working hours and stick to them. Have a digital detox day, one day every week without technology – I can feel your anxiety from here, but it gives your brain a break, improves creativity and it’s good for you.
Exercise. Get up and get moving. Eat well. Get some sleep.
Most importantly remember you are more than your job.
Working long hours comes with a high cost.
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla
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