It’s no secret our health impacts our ability to create and maintain work-life balance. On May 11, 2010 Reuters published an article, “Memo to boss: 11-hour days are bad for the heart.” The full article is available by visiting: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64A2SR20100511. The gist of the article is that working 3-4 hours of overtime per day increases the risk of having an adverse cardiac event.
There are some people out there who thoroughly enjoy their jobs and enjoy the overtime hours they work. Conversely, for others, working overtime causes stress. Job related stress can lead to a variety of health issues including your metabolic process, depression, and heart disease.
Keep your sanity
In an article written by Dan Rafter for BBW Magazine, there are some excellent ideas for managing work related stress. He suggests speaking with your boss about the hours you’re working because there is evidence that stressed and exhausted employees rarely turn in their best work. Another suggestion is taking care of yourself at work. You can do this by leaving your desk for your lunch break and by using your vacation time; after all you earned it! The final suggestion Dan writes about is finding work you love. You probably won’t mind working longer hours when you love what you do. To read Dan’s article in full, visit: http://www.bbwmagazine.com/work_3_0014.htm.
Local resources and happenings
If you’re looking to get a little more life in your work-life balance. You may want to check out the Metro Detroit Start! Heart Walk and5K Fun Run this weekend! For more information or to register: follow this link to the American Heart Association: http://tinyurl.com/265dccu
The Sister to Sister Women’s Heart Health Foundation provides information on a variety of resources and event happening in the Metro Detroit area. Check them out: http://www.sistertosister.org/detroit
The Detroit Freepress recently published an article about knowing your numbers as it relates to your heart health. You can read this article here: http://tinyurl.com/236gcub
Comments
Thanks for sharing this informative info! My husband works a lot of overtime and comes home so exhausted that, even eating dinner has become "another job to do." I love the links too!
Interesting. I've been working through lunch and staying late at work for years. It is stressful and needs to stop. Thanks for the info.
I used to be a workaholic, and thought nothing of a ridiculous overtime schedule, working up to 95 hours a week. Yes, I ended up with heart disease. Thankfully, I am doing fine now. So I appreciated your article very much.
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