Are You Working Too Much?

A recent study, reported in the European Heart Journal (May 2010), has followed the health of more than 10,000 civil servants since 1985.

And they conclude that working too much is bad for your heart (as well as a whole lot of other things I might add!)

Their research shows a 60% increase in heart related illness such as non fatal heart attacks and angina in those who work three hours or more longer than a normal 7 hour day. One or two hours overtime made no difference.

They cite several possible reasons why this might be so. It could be that people who regularly work longer hours are type As, classified as aggressive, competitive, and very time conscious; prime candidates for heart disease. Another factor could be psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, or not relaxing enough before sleep. They may also be the type to carry on regardless, even though they feel unwell.

The study was done exclusively on white collar workers in the public sector so may not hold true for everyone.

But the message is clear. Don’t let work run your life, rather let it be part of your life in your control. And if you find work is making you feel stressed and anxious on a regular basis , do something about it! Talk to someone at work, consider a different job, change your attitude towards to work, take back control. Don’t let your career run you, It’s YOUR career, take charge!

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