In this day and age that glorifies productivity, it can be tempting to pour all your time and effort into ‘chasing the cheese’ or getting work done. However, overworking yourself may not be good for your health or even your cognitive development.
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In fact, according to a study published by the Melbourne Institute Worker Paper, it would be ideal to allot only 25 hours or three full days for work, especially if you’re over the age of 40. The researchers of the aforementioned study analyzed 3,000 men and 3,000 women and found that working more than 55 hours a week produces fatigue, stress, and can affect neural processes and atrophy cognitive functions. Reducing work time to 25 hours every seven days would improve memory, abstract reasoning, and specific knowledge.
However, the study did note that although its researchers recommend the reduction of work hours, you shouldn’t feel bad about working 40 hours a week. Why? Working for 40 hours a week does less brain damage than not working at all. However, spending more than 55 hours per week on work may be more damaging than being unemployed. Thus, it’s all about finding your balance.
Although spending the majority of your waking hours to work can produce good results, its effects on your overall health, in the long run, may not be ideal. According to the National Institue of Mental Health or NIMH, stress may contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
While it is important to stay productive and do what it takes to achieve your goals, you need to step back once in a while to take care of yourself. What’s the point in making a lot of money if you won’t be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor anyway?
