- 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.
IN FULL
‘Overworking’ may alter our brain structure. Here’s who is at risk
