‘Overworking’ may alter our brain structure. Here’s who is at risk
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How 52-hour work weeks could be altering your brain structure
- Working 52 or more hours per week may alter brain structure, particularly in areas related to problem-solving, memory, and emotional regulation.
- A study of healthcare workers found that those working long hours had noticeable changes in brain regions associated with cognitive functions and emotional processing.
- Researchers observed a 19 per cent increase in left caudal middle frontal gyrus volume in overworked individuals, a brain region crucial for attention, working memory, and language processing.
- The study highlights the need for further research into the long-term cognitive and emotional effects of overwork and emphasises the importance of workplace policies to mitigate excessive working hours.
- A UK survey revealed that nearly a quarter of workers regularly exceed the legal maximum working hours, and 44 per cent consider working beyond contracted hours as part of their company culture.