Research States Working Long Hours, Doing Crazy Shifts Is Making Us Sick, Depressed

Nowadays, many people are engaged in jobs that require them to spend long hours in the office, sitting in front of their screens and typing away. A new research has found that working crazy hours at night can make a person susceptible to bouts of depression.

Working against the clock, meeting official deadlines and sacrificing sleep, among other things can lead to a host of health problems. It can impact a person's heart health, eyes and hormones, and influence their personality as well, making them generally resentful, cranky and emotionally unstable. Nowadays, many people are engaged in jobs that require them to spend long hours in the office, sitting in front of their screens and typing away. A new research has found that working crazy hours -- especially at night -- can make a person susceptible to bouts of depression and chronic illness. According to the study published in PLOS One, working late nights and doing 'crazy' schedules as a 'young adult' can increase the risk of depression along with other health issues when a person reaches middle age.

Looking At People's Sleep Schedules

Citing the study, an Independent report mentioned that NYU Silver School of Social Work professor Wen-Jui Han examined the work schedules and sleep patterns of 7,000 Americans for three decades. The study author found only one-quarter of the participants worked 'regular daytime' hours; others were engaged in jobs that entailed working at night. Participants in the study were interviewed from the age of 22 years through 50 years. Those who worked night hours or 'rotating shifts' when they were younger, reportedly struggled with sleep and were 'more likely to experience poor health and depression at age 50', as opposed to those who had 'daytime schedules'.

According to the Independent report, after clocking in 'too many hours' and 'embracing the hustle culture mindset' for decades, Han's doctor warned her when she was 40 years old that she had the 'biological age' of a 60-year-old. Biological age is not the same as chronological age. Ageing is not just the process of months and years getting added to your life. Your biological age increases when your body begins to age faster and you look and feel older. It means wear-and-tear in the body that is a result of lifestyle, genetics and added stress.

After getting warned by her doctor, Han did the research to find out if working long hours could impact long-term health.

The Disadvantages of Working Too Hard

Han explained to NPR in an interview: "Our work now is making us sick and poor. Work is supposed to allow us to accumulate resources. But, for a lot of people, their work doesn't allow them to do so. They actually become more and more miserable over time." The researcher added that she hopes her research will 'provide resources to support people to have a happy and healthy life when they are physically exhausted and emotionally drained' because of work.

"We can say they voluntarily want to work long hours, but in reality, it is not about voluntarily working long hours. They sense the culture of their work demands that they work long hours, or they may get penalised," Han added.

Different Types Of Rest

A blog post on aucklandphysiotherapy.co.nz stated that physical rest refers to giving your body a break from physical exertion and allowing it to recover. It helps relieve muscle tension, reduce fatigue, and promote overall physical relaxation.

Mental rest involves giving your mind a break from continuous cognitive activity and mental stimulation. It is about allowing your mind to relax and recharge.

Emotional rest involves taking a break from emotional stressors and allowing yourself to emotionally recharge by creating space for emotional well-being. Sensory rest, on the other hand, involves reducing or eliminating excessive sensory input to provide relief from sensory stimulation. In today's world filled with constant noise, bright lights, digital screens, etc., sensory rest is crucial.

"When our work becomes a daily stressor, these are the kind of health consequences you may expect to see 30 years down the road," the researcher concluded.