Americans are Working Themselves to Death
by Bryan Schott
07/26/2012 | 546 views | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Americans are working, on average, 11 hours more per week than they did in the 1970's, but income for middle-income families has dropped by 13% over the same period.

Digital Technology says our increasingly connected world has workers checking email and answering calls away from work, and working longer hours as well. That extra work is affecting the health of American laborers.

It could affect your personal life, hampering your ability to concentrate, make wise decisions, be a good caretaker, etc. 

Overwork is also associated with psychological distress.  A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental medicine determined that those who worked overtime regularly had increased levels of anxiety and depression.  This was true regardless of gender, or vocation. 

This makes perfect sense, since many people perceive their work as a major source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).  We all need some stress in our lives, as it keeps us alert and motivated, but too much or chronic stress is not good. 

Stress also leads to destructive habits.  People under chronic stress are more likely to resort to alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs as a coping mechanism to ease the discomfort that arises out of work stress.

Check out this infographic that details the issue.

 

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