Many tend to view long working hours as a measure of an employee's productivity level, but it has long been known that the more we work, the more our ability to function efficiently and properly diminishes. Spending many hours at work can exert great pressure on both the body and mind, and the findings of a new report by the World Health Organization reveal that it can even be very deadly. In a study conducted on the subject in collaboration with various universities from countries worldwide, including Sweden, Denmark, the US, France, and Australia, it was found that there is a certain threshold of weekly working hours, exceeding which increases the chances of death due to heart attack and stroke. You are invited to learn about the study and discover how many working hours could actually endanger your life.
The study that proved: Your job can kill you
The study in question was conducted among 488 million people worldwide, and the World Health Organization defines it as the first global analysis of its kind. During the study, the working hours of all these participants were examined, with long working hours defined by researchers as 55 hours a week. It was found that those who worked 55 hours or more per week were 35% more likely to suffer a stroke and 17% more likely to suffer a heart attack compared to people who worked 35-40 hours a week.
The World Health Organization warns of the new epidemic
According to the World Health Organization, our working hours are currently increasing, putting people worldwide at a higher risk of premature death. The organization specifically expresses concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our working hours, as millions of people began working from home and have since dedicated more hours to work than they did in the office before the pandemic. In addition to them, the wave of layoffs also affected the working hours of those who were not laid off and had to work more, and those who were laid off had to find other jobs, which often required them to invest more hours to reach the same salary level they were accustomed to.
"Remote work has become the norm in many industries, with the boundaries between home and work becoming very blurred. Additionally, many businesses have started cutting back on staff to save money, which caused those remaining to work longer hours," says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "No job is worth the risk of a stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers, and employees need to come together to create agreements and restrictions to protect workers' health."
The truth is, this is not new or surprising information
Although there is now proven evidence, health experts have long known that long working hours are harmful to health. Burnout, for instance, has already been linked in previous studies to an increased risk of colds and flu, as well as chronic problems like headaches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and high blood pressure. Burnout can also increase the risk of mental health problems such as clinical depression.
Researchers have also long known that long working hours harm cardiovascular health, but the new World Health Organization report shows the exact risk percentages. It is still not entirely clear why such damage occurs, but the assumption is that people who work long hours simply do not have enough time to engage in healthy activities such as exercise or even spend quality time with family and friends. Limited exposure to sunlight harms health, and in certain workplaces, exposure to hazardous materials also increases the likelihood of health problems.
Still, there are new insights to learn from the report
According to the study, it was found that there is a difference in risk levels among different people worldwide, with premature death being more common among men than women. Moreover, the highest risk was also among people living in Asia, and of course, the older the age, the greater the risk of death.
However, the findings clearly show that long working hours are dangerous for everyone – even if to varying degrees. "Working 55 hours or more per week is a severe health hazard," says Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health at the World Health Organization. "It's time for all of us – governments, employers, and employees – to wake up and recognize that long working hours lead to premature death."
Even 40 working hours per week may harm you
Do you feel like you're working too many hours a day? If so, you're not alone. In the western world, many people work an average of 40 hours a week, while some work more and some lucky few work less. Many employers look at this number and see good productivity. Indeed, over the years, our productivity has increased compared to previous decades, and some businesses are thriving, but is there a price to pay? Researchers from Australia and Japan claim that long working hours lead to impaired cognitive function, meaning the more we work, the more we harm our ability to think clearly. This is troubling news, but there might be ways to prevent it.
The Study Process
In a study conducted between 2016-2017, in collaboration between Australia's University of Melbourne and Macquarie University and Japan's Keio University, researchers analyzed the employment conditions of 6,500 Australians divided into three categories: unemployed/retired, those working less than 40 hours a week, and those working more than 40 hours a week. Additionally, participants underwent cognitive tests designed to assess their brain function.
In a previous study conducted before this one, it was already found that the more hours people work, the lower they score in vocabulary tests, and that excessive working hours adversely affect cognition in older ages. The updated study builds on the findings of the earlier research and seeks to determine the extent to which cognitive function is impaired by long working hours.
First, the relationship between working hours and cognitive function was examined. Then the researchers tried to determine how many hours exactly cause harm and how many hours have a neutral or positive effect. The main areas examined were memory, reaction speed, attention span, and reading ability.
Study Results
Professor Colin McKenzie from Keio University explained the results as follows: "Work can be a double-edged sword in that it encourages brain activity, but at the same time, too many working hours can lead to fatigue and stress, which can potentially harm cognitive function." In other words, work can enhance cognitive function, but if done excessively, it is detrimental due to the negative effects of fatigue and stress. After analyzing the findings, the scientists reached the following conclusions:
- People who do not work at all during the week (unemployed or retired) score the lowest on cognitive function tests.
- People working more than 40 hours a week scored slightly higher than those who do not work at all but significantly lower than those working less than 40 hours a week.
- People working part-time, i.e., less than 40 hours a week, achieve the highest scores in cognitive function tests.
Although it appears that those working more than 40 hours a week have better test results than those who do not work at all, the researchers claim that the difference is not particularly significant, and only those working part-time enjoy significantly higher results. Additionally, a small group of people working more than 55 hours a week was examined, and they had the lowest scores among all participants.
What Can Be Done?
Each of us must take the findings of this study seriously, as our cognitive function should be a top priority for us and our employers. This is because even as employees, our abilities weaken the longer we spend hours at work. Regarding our working hours, we may not have much control, as our culture still regards long hours as a guarantee of higher productivity. However, we can help ourselves maintain our cognitive abilities through several ways, which are essential to know if you work more than 40 hours a week or alternatively, do not work at all:
1. Learn the ways to improve brain performance
If your cognitive function is impaired due to long working hours, you need to take responsibility and restore your brain's capabilities before it is too late. To do so, click here to discover 9 simple exercises to improve brain performance. Most require little effort, just awareness and daily implementation, like reducing the consumption of unhealthy fats or learning a new word daily – simple changes that can make a significant difference.
2. Improve your memory
If you find yourself forgetting words or struggling to locate your car in a parking lot after hours, you may have a mild memory issue. There's no need to panic; you can enhance your memory by clicking here and learning 9 effective ways to improve memory. These are small tricks that can help you stop forgetting and start recalling more easily. While not always providing a long-term solution, they will help you avoid frustrating situations.
3. Take actions to preserve your brain’s abilities over the years
4. Eat foods that help maintain your brain
The brain is the most important organ in our body, and how we care for our body is how we also care for our brain. If you eat well, your brain will receive the nutrients it needs to function. If not, it will gradually weaken, and if you work more than 40 hours a week, this process will happen faster than you think. To prevent premature brain aging, click here to discover 10 foods that help keep the brain sharp and healthy. Add them to your regular diet and maintain your health – no one can do it for you but yourself.
Until the findings of this study reach the senior figures shaping our work culture, we will continue to work diligently. But at the very least, for now, it is worth knowing the price we pay for it and how to prevent paying it. If you use the tips provided, you will undoubtedly slow down the damage caused by long working hours to your brain. If possible, take more frequent breaks, try not to stay too long for overtime at your workplace, and remember – your health is the most important thing.
Image source: A Health Blog
