Long working hours and health
The health consequences of long working hours vary depending on factors such as the length of the working hours , job characteristics, socioeconomic status, and the individual's health condition. Overworking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, as well as affecting mental health. Physical and mental strain of the overworked people can start from acute physiological ...
In the long run, unchecked strain and burnout can sabotage professional progress, personal relationships, and overall life satisfaction. For many, it's less a question of how to handle the long working hours themselves, but rather how to hold on to a work-life balance outside the office.
Long working hours
Find out more about how occupational safety and health professionals can support people working long hours .
Explore a guide on how to work long hours , examine some of the benefits of working longer hours and read about some challenges that you may encounter.
Working Long Hours in 2026 Here's How to Stay Productive and Sane
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15 survival tips on how to cope with working long hours — from how to stay healthy and avoid burnout to how to deliver quality work.
Long Work Hours, Extended or Irregular Shifts, and Worker Fatigue
Long work hours and extended and irregular shifts may lead to fatigue and to physical and mental stress. Working extended shifts may also involve prolonged exposure to potential health hazards such as noise, chemicals, and others.
Long work hours and irregular work shifts are common in our society. Many American workers spend over 40 hours a week at work and almost 15 million work full time on evening, night, rotating or other irregular shifts. Work schedules like these may cause worker fatigue.
Work Hours and Health
This report addresses (1) how work hours for U.S. workers have changed over time, (2) how the characteristics of individuals who worked very long hours in recent years compare to those of standard full-time workers, and (3) research on the relationships between long work hours and health outcomes and behaviors.
Shiftwork and long work hours can result in stress, fatigue, negative mood, discomfort, physiologic dysfunction, and poor health behaviors like overeating, smoking, and lack of exercise. Shiftwork is any schedule outside the period of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2015). Shift workers may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal ...