Latest news with #RuthWilkinson
The Age
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
How working long hours may be changing your brain
Scan analysis revealed those who were 'overworked' had a 19 per cent increase on average in the volume of their left caudal middle frontal gyrus, which has a major role in several cognitive functions, particularly in the frontal lobe. It is involved in attention, working memory and language-related processing. The scans also showed an increase in volume across 17 regions of the brain including parts responsible for attention, planning and decision-making, as well the insula, which has a key role in integrating sensory and motor functions, processing emotions, a person's self-awareness and understanding social context. The researchers said: 'Overworked individuals exhibited significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation.' But they noted it was not possible to determine whether these structural changes were caused by working long hours, or gave the individuals a predisposition to work longer hours. Also, those putting in long working hours each week were significantly younger, had spent less time in work and were more highly educated than those clocking up standard hours. Overwork 'kills 800,000 a year' Regularly working long weeks has previously been linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and mental health issues. The impact of stress from overworking increases the production of cortisol, raises blood pressure and weakens the immune system. Other studies have found that overwork, and the resulting stress, can lead to impaired sleep, depression, heavy drinking, poor memory and heart disease. The International Labour Organisation estimates that overwork kills more than 800,000 people a year, the researchers noted. The research team concluded that the study provided 'preliminary evidence that overwork is associated with structural brain changes, particularly in regions linked to cognition and emotion'. They added: 'These findings provide novel neurobiological evidence linking prolonged working hours to structural brain changes, emphasising the need for further research to understand the long-term cognitive and emotional implications of overwork. '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.' In Britain, the legal maximum for a working week is 48 hours. Loading Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health charity, said almost a quarter of Britons were regularly working more than that. 'Global analysis from the World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation has found that working long hours is on the increase and is responsible for about one-third of the total estimated work-related burden of disease,' she said. 'A long-hours culture can be experienced in what we've identified as the 'small print' of working life today.' She added that a YouGov survey had found 44 per cent of employees said working beyond their contracted hours was part of their workplace's culture, and more than half 'regularly check work emails and messages outside of working hours'.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-06-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
How working long hours may be changing your brain
Scan analysis revealed those who were 'overworked' had a 19 per cent increase on average in the volume of their left caudal middle frontal gyrus, which has a major role in several cognitive functions, particularly in the frontal lobe. It is involved in attention, working memory and language-related processing. The scans also showed an increase in volume across 17 regions of the brain including parts responsible for attention, planning and decision-making, as well the insula, which has a key role in integrating sensory and motor functions, processing emotions, a person's self-awareness and understanding social context. The researchers said: 'Overworked individuals exhibited significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation.' But they noted it was not possible to determine whether these structural changes were caused by working long hours, or gave the individuals a predisposition to work longer hours. Also, those putting in long working hours each week were significantly younger, had spent less time in work and were more highly educated than those clocking up standard hours. Overwork 'kills 800,000 a year' Regularly working long weeks has previously been linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and mental health issues. The impact of stress from overworking increases the production of cortisol, raises blood pressure and weakens the immune system. Other studies have found that overwork, and the resulting stress, can lead to impaired sleep, depression, heavy drinking, poor memory and heart disease. The International Labour Organisation estimates that overwork kills more than 800,000 people a year, the researchers noted. The research team concluded that the study provided 'preliminary evidence that overwork is associated with structural brain changes, particularly in regions linked to cognition and emotion'. They added: 'These findings provide novel neurobiological evidence linking prolonged working hours to structural brain changes, emphasising the need for further research to understand the long-term cognitive and emotional implications of overwork. '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.' In Britain, the legal maximum for a working week is 48 hours. Loading Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health charity, said almost a quarter of Britons were regularly working more than that. 'Global analysis from the World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation has found that working long hours is on the increase and is responsible for about one-third of the total estimated work-related burden of disease,' she said. 'A long-hours culture can be experienced in what we've identified as the 'small print' of working life today.' She added that a YouGov survey had found 44 per cent of employees said working beyond their contracted hours was part of their workplace's culture, and more than half 'regularly check work emails and messages outside of working hours'.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The working pattern that can cause brain damage revealed – as scientists warn it's not shift work
Plus, other things harming your brain and tips to protect it RISKY BUSINESS The working pattern that can cause brain damage revealed – as scientists warn it's not shift work Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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 damage to the brain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Working above regular hours could alter the structure of the brain, scientists said Credit: Getty A new study found that "overworking" 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 health 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 working conditions 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. How traumatic brain injury affects brain cells 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 South Korea, 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 charity 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. 6 ways you're damaging your brain Not socialising enough Feeling lonely has long been linked with cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer's. One US study looking at the brains of healthy adults found those who reported feelings of loneliness had higher cortical amyloid levels - a marker used to help diagnose dementia and Alzheimer's. Participants with increased amyloid were seven and a half times more likely to identify as lonely, the Harvard Medical School said. You don't have a sense of purpose Would you agree or disagree with the following statement: 'I have a sense of direction and purpose in life"? People who agreed tended to have a considerably less likely risk of developing Alzheimier's disease, according to a four-year study of 900 people from Chicago. Studies have shown that older adults with hobbies or who try and engage in social activities may age slower. Not getting enough sleep A lack of sleep is linked with dementia in later life. It could be that not getting enough good quality rest causes more of the protein amyloid in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Society says that problems such as struggling to get to sleep, stay asleep or napping are associated with many forms of dementia - but says the topic is "complicated". Not exercising One study at the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise boosts the size of the hippocampus - a brain region involved in verbal memory and learning. Aerobic exercise is the kind that gets your heart pumping and sweaty, as opposed to muscle or weight training. Similarly, high intensity workouts keep blood flowing to the brain, Researchers at the University of Queensland have found. Poor diet Kkeeping your diet healthy and weight managed can indirectly help the brain by banishing diseases like high blood pressure. Studies have shown that a typical 'Western' diet of highly processed food is linked to higher depression rates than those that are healthier, such as Mediterranean and Japanese. Some foods are considered optimal for brain health - salmon (high in omega-3), dark chocolate, berries, nuts and eggs are just examples. Listening to loud music Loss of hearing is linked with dementia, studies have suggested - and listening to loud music can cause damage to the eardrums. The NHS says to protect your hearing, do not listen to music at more than 60 per cent of the maximum volume. Do not use earphones or headphones for more than an hour at a time – take a break for at least five minutes every hour. 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 mental health 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 changing up the timing of your meals might help mitigate night shift workers' risk of of a heart attack and stroke. Another study found that popping melatonin supplements could reduce shift workers' risk of cancer.
NDTV
15-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Working Long Hours Could Alter The Structure Of Your Brain, Study Suggests
Working long hours may alter the structure of your brain, a new study has found. The research, published in the journal Occupational And Environmental Medicine, found "significant changes" in the brains of people who were overworking. The research was conducted by two scientists at South Korea's Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University. It looked at the impact of overwork on specific regions in health workers who regularly clocked up more than 52 hours a week. Around 110 workers were included in the final analysis. Of these, 32 worked excessive hours and 78 worked standard hours. The study found that being "overworked" could affect the part of the brain linked with problem-solving and memory, as well as impacting mental health, CNN reported. The researchers used data, including MRI scans, to examine brain structure. This technique allowed them to identify and compare differences in levels of grey matter in different regions of the brain. "People who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours," researchers said in a press release. The study authors also found planning and decision-making parts of the brain were affected. They believe that their findings suggest a "potential relationship" between having an increased workload and changes in these parts of the brain, providing a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges reported by people who are overworked. The researchers 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." According to SkyNews, Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the charity 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," she added.
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
How working more than 52 hours a week may alter the structure of your brain
Working more than 52 hours a week may alter the structure of your brain, new research has found. Being "overworked" could affect the part of the brain linked with problem-solving and memory, as well as impacting mental health, the researchers found. The findings were published in the journal Occupational And Environmental Medicine and looked at the impact of overwork on specific regions in health workers who regularly clocked up more than 52 hours a week. Some 110 workers were included in the final analysis - of these, 32 worked excessive hours and 78 worked standard hours. Those working longer hours each were significantly younger, had spent less time in work and were more highly education than those doing standard hours, the study said. They used data including MRI scans to examine brain structure and found "overworked individuals exhibited significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation". They also found planning and decision-making parts of the brain were affected. The researchers, including from Yonsei University in South Korea, 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 charity 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 institution found nearly a quarter of UK workers regularly work more than the legal maximum number of hours (48 hours a week), while more than half said they regularly check work emails and messages outside of normal hours.
