Beware of Working Too Many Hours—It May Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease

by:  Rita Duponty

Many of us take pride in the fact that we are dedicated diligent workers.  Within our inefficient economy, companies strive to be lean as possible while overloading their current workforce with higher and higher production expectation.  As a result, employees may be expected to put in longer hours just to keep their jobs.  Then, there is the workaholic.  They work themselves to the bone day after day.  So where are you in this picture?  Why is it important to examine your work habits?

Too many hours of working may kill you!  A study completed by the University College of London said that people working 11 hours a day, as opposed to working a 9 to 5 job, were 67% more likely to have a heart attack.  Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States at a rate of 2,500 dying each day.  Are you headed down this road?

Life is all about balance and the juggling of priorities.  You may even rationalize that you are working longer hours than normal to take care of your family.  However, by working an extreme amount of hours, you could be at risk in cutting your life short.  Wouldn’t it be sad if you were not around to enjoy the company of those you have worked so hard for?

Here are some suggestions that may allow you to cut back on working those longer hours:

  1. Simplify your life.  Most families in this economy have found that they are living on less income and are happy. Try it.  Read my blog, http://every-day-life-of-the-unemployed.blogspot.com, for further ways to cut back on your expenses.
  2. Could someone else work part-time in the family?  An additional smaller income might allow you to cut back on your hours.  This only works if the other person can work part-time without it being a strain on them or the family.
  3. If you have other health issues, let your doctor know how many hours you are working. He may suggest cutting back your hours.  Perhaps your employer will accept a doctor’s recommendation allowing you to cut back.  Of course, all employers and situations are different.  So this could be tricky.
  4. Start a garden.  For every $100 invested in gardening, you can produce $1,000–$1,700 worth of produce.  Working in your garden isn’t like working long hours at your job.  Yes, gardening is hard work but the rewards are great both physically and monetarily. Last week’s post showed the link between working with dirt and happiness.  Read it.
  5. Get a new job.  This may not be possible for everyone.  However, if you are stuck in a job that demands longer and longer days, be realistic.  Not all employers are looking out for your best interests.  For many employers, the bottom line is their profits not your health.  You may have to consider moving on.
  6. Analyze your job.  Perhaps you can do the job more efficiently in less time.  Your employer would love this one.

You may or may not need to adjust your working hours.  If you do, take it seriously.  Your overall health is important for you and your family.  Heart disease is not a joking matter.  A primary diagnosis of heart disease is given to approximately 16 million people every year for patients seen in physicians’ offices, hospital outpatient centers, and emergency room departments. Remember, working longer hours may not be working smarter.  Stay healthy to see tomorrow—balance your life now and lower your risks!

9 thoughts on “Beware of Working Too Many Hours—It May Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease”

  1. This article is interesting. That’s why I refuse to let my job be my life. I did that with my previous job. Great article! Just stopping by to show some Alexa love!

  2. Hi! I’m a new follower from Alexa’s Blog Hop! Hope you follow back. :) I so agree… sometimes I find I over schedule activities and it drives me crazy at the end of the day… but I am working on it!

  3. Great post! Yikes, I am in trouble with two jobs and spending many hours blogging as well. I enjoy it though, so I suppose that helps. Stumbling this from the hop:)

    Laura

  4. Nice post, important to keep your time well managed.; I am often guilty of to many work hours but fortunately do not have any children at home. Thank you so much for stopping by Gifts By Katherine. Hugs!

  5. This is so true, my father works a lot! He was always out of town and being in management, he was constantly in 1 project or another of high stress levels. He has now had 2 heart attacks. He is now lucky enough to be working from home, but he is still working a lot and managing people from all over the world now.

    My husband works 12-14 hour days 6 days a week, also in a management position and I can only hope that he is not headed down the same road. He deals with stress well, but only time and prayer will tell. :(

    Thank you for this post!!

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