We are all running a race. A race against time. There’s a whole lot to be done and only a lifetime to do it. If you need any more proof that burning the midnight oil is not the best thing to do, new research reveals that toxic work cultures and stringent work habits may put you in serious trouble.
The United Nations revealed that work-related injuries and illnesses kill nearly two million people annually. A joint assessment by the UN’s health and labour agencies has taken into account global disease and injury burden linked to job stretches from 2000 to 2016. A shocking 1.9 million deaths worldwide were officially linked to work-related causes in 2016, a surge from 1.7 million, which were recorded at the turn of the century.
The study examined occupational risk factors other than long working hours, including exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, ergonomic factors like prolonged sitting and manual handling of loads. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press statement, “It’s shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their jobs. Our report is a wake-up call to countries and businesses to improve and protect the health and safety of workers.”
The study also found that the greatest cause of death has been chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which killed 415,000 people in 2016, followed by strokes and ischaemic heart disease. Death rate from heart disease associated with exposure to long working hours went by 41 per cent, while stroke deaths brought on by excessive work rose 19 per cent.
So, how can one cope with long working hours?
Plan your day. Prioritising your tasks and scheduling your work hours may just be your saving grace. It will not only give you a feeling of accomplishment, it will also ease your stress.
Track time. Utilise a time tracker to help you understand how you could get better.
Take a break. Sometimes, it is just that simple. Taking a break is just as important as working. Know when to stop. Research suggests productivity builds up for 52 minutes in one go, and then goes down. Take a 5-7 minute break every hour, make a cuppa or just sit back and breathe.
