How Work Can Be Bad For Your Health

If you’re like most adults, your full-time job is likely to take up the majority of your working hours. These days, there’s growing concern about how all this time can affect our health. Obviously, your long-term career goals are going to be very important to you, but nothing is more important than the condition of your body. Here are just a few ways your work could be damaging your health.

Too Much Overtime

People in the western world are known for workaholic tendencies. Workers in the US, especially, tend to take less vacation time and retire later than those in many other countries. Sure, pushing yourself at work can get you in your employer’s good books, but it can be extremely strenuous to your health. Studies have indicated that people who work 50 or more hours a week are more likely to have reduced physical and mental wellbeing. Overworked employees tend to skip meals in order to keep up with heavy workloads, and generally have higher incidences of self-reported depression. Furthermore, people who work 10 hours a day on a regular basis are at significantly higher risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and heart disease, than people who avoid overtime. Read more at Livescience.com.

HSE Hazards

While many white-collar workers can be prone to conditions that come on gradually, people with more hands-on jobs are at risk of much more glaring health hazards. This is especially true when it comes to people who work in the construction sector and industrial settings. Working at a height, working with heavy machinery, and being exposed to loud noises are just a few of the things that can lead to serious injuries and conditions that can follow people for their whole lives. People who have worked in around asbestos are also at greater risk of some kinds of cancer, which you can read more about at Mesotheliomahelp.org. While employers in these dangerous environments have a duty to protect their workers as best as possible, some hazards can still slip through the net, often with dire consequences. Read up on health and safety standards, and do everything you can to mitigate risks at your work.

Sticking to a Job That You Hate

Sometimes, it’s a necessary evil to stay with a job that you don’t like. After all, you have to put food on the table and keep a roof over your family’s head. We all know that feeling indebted to a business and having a lack of freedom can be emotionally draining over time. However, if you spend too long in a work environment that drives you up the wall, the side effects can go far past your mental and emotional health. It’s been found that people who stay at organizations, due to a contractual obligation or a perceived lack of alternatives, are more likely to experience physical problems from stress and exhaustion. Don’t let a salary get in the way of a healthy, happy life!