THE health dangers of night shift work are well known, as it can decimate heart health and raise the risk of mental health issues and cancer.
But scientists warn that another working pattern can also take its toll, possibly causing .
A new study found that may alter the structure of your brain, affecting problem-solving and memory.
If you’re working nine to fives, you’ll typically spend about 40 hours a week toiling at your desk – but it’s not uncommon to linger after working hours are technically over.
Scientists classified overworking as clocking in more than 52 hours a week.
A study – published in the journal Occupational And Environmental Medicine – looked at how long working hours impacted the brains of workers who regularly slogged more than 52 hours a week.
Researchers drew on data from the from a long-term study that used MRI scans to examine how affect brain structure.
They included 110 people in their final analysis, most of whom were clinicians.
Of these, 32 clocked in excessive work ours whole, while 78 worked standard hours.
Those toiling for 52 hours a week or more were significantly younger, had spent less time in work and were more highly educated than those clocking up standard hours.
Researchers compared the brain scans of overworkers with standard workers.
They found that people who worked 52 or more hours a week “exhibited significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation”;;, unlike participants who worked standard hours every week.
They also found that parts of the brain associated with planning and decision-making were affected.
For example, the study team observed a 19 per cent increase in the volume of the middle frontal gyrus – involved in attention and memory – in people working long hours.
The researchers, including from Yonsei University in , said: “The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours.”;;
Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said urgent action is needed to tackle “an epidemic of long working hours”;;.
“A long hours culture can be experienced in what we’ve identified as the ‘small print’ of working life today,”;; she said.
“This captures those hidden or unspoken expectations placed on top of workers’ contracts.
“It includes always having to be available/on duty in this digital age, stripped of the right to disconnect from work outside of normal working hours.”;;
A YouGov survey by the organisation found that nearly a quarter of UK workers regularly work more than the legal maximum number of hours, which is 48 hours a week.
Meanwhile, more than half said they regularly check work emails and messages outside of normal hours.
The Korean research team said long working hours have previously been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and issues.
They cited figures from the International Labour Organisation, which estimates that overwork kills more than 800,000 people every year.
It comes after research found that might help mitigate night shift workers’ risk of of aand.
Another study found that popping melatonin supplements .
