Everyone says you’re not supposed to work too much, but no one really warns how it can actually kill you. While long work hours have long been talked about, the issue bubbled up to the surface when health was a constant topic during a global pandemic. Everyone was doing what they could to survive. But as work and family joined together under the same roof for so long, we were surveying what was really important in our life too. It’s one thing to say that too much work feels like it’s bad for your health. It’s another thing when actual statistics back up that feeling.
Health Factors To Consider
Whether or not we enjoy our job, there are some health considerations to keep in mind. Sometimes, our own personal expectations drive our long work hours. Other times, a toxic boss can increase the work week. Whatever the reason, personal health shouldn’t be ignored.
1. High Stress
Some jobs are naturally stressful. Healthcare workers have a naturally stressful job balancing knowledge, experience, demanding patients, stressed out bosses, and long hours. While not everyone deals with constant life and death decisions, even sitting behind a computer screen or wading through hours of meetings adds stress. And stress should not be ignored. At a prior job, I started to get a pit in my stomach every Sunday night as I thought about the week ahead. After months of noticing that, it was a clear that I had to make a change. It’s not possible to experience high levels of consistent stress without feeling it somewhere. Ask your friends and family members for their opinion. They may see higher levels of irritability in you. It’s not fun to hear that from someone else, but it could be a helpful push to move in a better direction.
2. Long Hours
Your job may not be stressful, but the sheer number of hours that you are spending on work could be having a negative impact on your overall health. In 2016, a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that 745,000 people died from stroke and heart disease because of long hours at work. While there could be other correlating factors, the number is quite high – just from those who reported longer work hours. According to the WHO, if you work more than 55 hours per week, you have a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of heart disease. So, if your days consist of in-person or Zoom meetings for hours on end, don’t ignore the research. Make changes to shorten your days where you can. I’m often surprised how much more efficient I can be when I narrow down my working windows. Some tasks actually take me less time when I make a conscious decision to turn off the computer at certain times.
3. Too Much Sitting
According to WebMD, too much sitting increases the likelihood of all the bad health things happening to you. Basically, if you sit for long stretches at a time, you’re more likely to die from any cause. So, even if you faithfully exercise and eat well, sitting down all day will negatively impact your health. One way to stop the trend is to get a standing desk. However, if you get an adjustable desk, you can bet that you will probably be sitting back down before long. Other option is to schedule a lot of movement breaks throughout your day. Of course, you could also reduce your working hours behind a screen and get out and do other activities. Whatever you have to do to change how much sitting time you have throughout the day, find a way to make those changes.
You Have a Choice
Everyone loves to talk about work-life balance. We also tend to point the finger at employers when work-life balance is off. While in some cases employers are problem, often, the decision to change how we function is our own. It’s good to care about the tasks at work. But why do you care so much? Why do you work so many hours? If your boss is always on, why do you think that defines how you have to function? If it’s truly a toxic work situation, find a new job or start documenting all the extra demands from your boss when they’re pouring in at night. But it’s important to remember that you can change your schedule and how you get your tasks done. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid of searching for a new job or redoing your approach to your current job. You may find that you’re not only healthier, but also more productive.
