Necessary? Yes. Stress? Also, Yes.
It should come as no surprise that working long hours results in anxiety and depressionin quite a few people. Too much time behind the desk, or wheel or whatever it is that people do for work raises the chance of stress, anxiety, and the development of depression. Let’s take a look at this article today from Indian Express on the topic of how working long hours may lead to greater
likelihoods of stress, anxiety and depression.
Scientists put the question to the test in a study of more than 2,000 white-collar workers. Previous research hinted at a link between long hours and a depressed mood, and the researchers at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki wanted to examine the issue in depth.
For about five years, they collected data on British civil servants. All of the workers, whose average age at the start was 47, had no mental health problems at the outset. The researchers adjusted their results to rule out other risk factors, like socio-economic status, social support, gender, and substance use.
Ultimately, the men and women who routinely worked 11 hours a day or more had more than double the risk of developing depression compared with those who usually worked eight hours or less.
But wait, there’s still more. On the site, we’ve talked a bit about the need for exercise, stress relieving activities and hobbies and whatever else it takes to help overcome anxiety and get the quality of life that we’re all after. Another study mentioned in the article showed that:
A number of factors might explain the increase in risk. People who work longer hours often sleep less, exercise less and experience more stress.
A grinding work schedule can be isolating, cutting into time with friends and family.
It may also raise the risk of other health problems, some studies show, including heart disease.
Does any of this mean that we’re implying that the best thing to do is to quit your job and find something else that lets you work less? Of course not. Some people will eventually make that choice, but only if it fits with their lifestyle, allows them to make enough money, take care of their families etc.
What this does mean, is that the need for real attention paid to the management of stress levels is as high as ever for those of us who put in long hours on a regular basis.
How can this happen? Taking lunch to work with you, so that you can eat and fit in a little extra time for some stretching, a walk, a set or two of push-ups or something to get the blood flowing and the stress to lower a touch is a start. If you work at a desk, getting up and doing an easy mobility routine of some hip circles, arm circles, a couple lunges or something similar can go a long way towards helping to relieve physical tension throughout the day as well.
There is a lot in life that we cannot control. Our work schedules are often an example of this. What we can control is how we handle these, and the extent of the impact that these events and circumstances have on us. Don’t stress about being stressed if you can help it. Overcome your stress and anxiety with a steady approach to emotional well-being, just like anyone who wanted to lose weight, or get stronger would. Through dedication and a long term approach to improvement and maintenance.
