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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Working 52+ hours a week may physically change your brain, warns new study
If you've ever bragged about 'killing it' at work by clocking long hours week after week, this might be your wake-up call. A new study titled 'Overwork and changes in brain structure: a pilot study', published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine (a BMJ publication), has found that working 52 hours or more per week may actually be altering your brain, particularly the regions responsible for memory, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Conducted by a team of South Korean researchers from Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University, and Pusan National University, the study used advanced brain imaging techniques to examine 110 healthcare workers. They found that overworked individuals showed notable structural changes in their brains, changes that could help explain the emotional and cognitive struggles often reported by people who work excessively long hours. How does working long hours affect brain structure? The researchers compared healthcare workers who routinely worked 52 hours or more a week to those who worked fewer hours. Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based techniques, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and atlas-based volume analysis, they found that overworked individuals had significantly increased brain volume in areas associated with executive function (like decision-making and working memory) and emotional regulation. One of the most affected regions was the left middle frontal gyrus, along with the insula and superior frontal gyrus, parts of the brain linked to emotional balance and problem-solving. While these changes might sound like brain 'growth,' they are more likely neuroadaptive responses to chronic stress and fatigue. What did the study reveal about the brain and overwork? Here are the key findings: The left caudal middle frontal gyrus showed a 19 per cent increase in volume in the overworked group. Significant volume increases were also seen in 17 other brain regions, including those tied to executive and emotional functions. These changes correlated positively with the number of hours worked each week. Even after adjusting for confounding lifestyle factors like smoking and exercise, many associations held strong. Notably, while increased grey matter is often interpreted as a sign of learning or positive adaptation, researchers caution that in the context of overwork, it may reflect compensatory or even maladaptive responses to chronic stress and lack of rest. While we already know overwork is tied to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, this research goes deeper to understand the physical and structural changes in the brain that may underlie these problems. Previous studies mostly focused on psychological and behavioural outcomes. This study adds a new layer of evidence by connecting those outcomes with biological changes in brain anatomy. Which brain functions are impacted by structural changes? The affected brain regions help regulate how we make decisions, solve problems, and manage emotions. Alterations in these areas could contribute to: Reduced cognitive efficiency Difficulty in focusing or problem-solving Emotional instability Higher susceptibility to burnout, anxiety, and depression And the consequences might not just be short-term. Over time, these changes could impact long-term brain health, including risks for cognitive decline. What workplace changes does the study recommend? The study's authors call for immediate action from employers and policymakers, especially in high-demand professions like healthcare. They emphasise, 'Our findings underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours.' Given that the International Labour Organization (ILO) already estimates 800,000 deaths annually from overwork, the study lends urgent neurobiological weight to a public health issue that's been brewing for decades. What can employees and employers do to protect brain health? While this is a pilot study and further research is needed, it does tell us that brain health should be a priority in the conversation about work-life balance. Here are some actionable takeaways: Employers should design better shift schedules, encourage breaks, and cap weekly hours to reduce mental load. Workers should monitor their mental and emotional states, prioritise rest and recovery, and seek help when signs of burnout appear. Policymakers should set stricter guidelines around maximum work hours and implement regulations to protect employee well-being. Long hours may seem necessary sometimes, but your brain might be paying the price in ways you cannot see. The next time you're tempted to push through yet another late night at work, just remember: boundaries and balance are important for your brain health. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Si Woo Kim's Unexpected Behavior at PGA Championship is Turning Heads
In the second men's major of the year, the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, has presented golfers with one of the sternest tests on the 2025 calendar. The par-71 layout stretches 7,626 yards, with its closing holes dubbed the 'Green Mile' for the trio of long, hazard-lined finishing holes that have already humbled many competitors this week. Advertisement On Thursday, Jhonattan Vegas set the early standard with a 7-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round. By contrast, 29-year-old Si Woo Kim found the opening 12 holes in Charlotte somewhat taxing. Sitting at 1-over-par through that stretch, Kim briefly halted play on Thursday afternoon with an unconventional form of stress relief: he was caught on camera taking a drag of a cigarette while walking onto the next tee box. Kim said that the reason why he was smoking on course was because he was "Getting old and stressed", per Fore Play on X. The clip went viral across social feeds, prompting instant reactions from fans. Advertisement One fan commented, "Of course," and another commenter said, "drained one on 6!" One user said, "This is actually insane lmao," to which another responded, "Nah John Daly was legend 😂". Similarly, another user commented, "Is that allowed?" and one other fan fired back, "Do you know who John Daly is?". Si Woo Kim at the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports Kim bypassed university golf at Yonsei University to join the professional ranks in 2012, becoming the youngest player to graduate from the PGA Tour's qualifying school. He broke through on the Tour with the 2015 Stonebrae Classic before going on to secure the 2016 Wyndham Championship and the 2017 Players Championship, becoming the youngest ever winner at age 21. Advertisement Kim's best major finish came at the Masters (T12 in 2021), with solid showings including T13 at the PGA Championship in 2020 and T15 at The Open in 2022. As the weekend unfolds at Quail Hollow, Kim now sits just a handful of strokes off the lead. Related: CBS Makes Major Announcement After Rory McIlroy's Historic Win At The Masters
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Scientists reveal a new working pattern that can cause brain damage: All you must know
Image credits: Getty Images Among the many things in life that are stressful to a level that they are harmful, work is one. While working stimulates the brain to think in ways that are surprising and interesting, too much of anything isn't good for your health. Many previous studies have found shift work to be the root cause of heart and mental health risks, now they have found a new factor in work life that can cause brain damage. According to a new study published in the journal Occupational And Environmental Medicine, "overworking" can alter the structure of the brain, causing massive impacts on problem-solving and memory. If a person is working 9-5, they'll typically spend about 40 hours a week toiling at their desk, however, these hours can increase on any or all given days. Scientists have classified overworking as clocking in more than 52 hours a week, and for the study, they analysed how long working hours affected the brains of health workers who regularly logged in for more than 52 hours a week. In order to assess the impact of working conditions on the brain structure, scientists drew data from a long-term study that used MRI. In their final analysis, they included 110 people, out of which 32 worked for a surprising 78 standard hours. The shocking results Image credits: Getty Images The results revealed that people who worked 52 hours or more in a week "exhibited significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation," as opposed to those participants who worked standard hours. Additionally, part of the brain associated with planning and decision-making was also affected. "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," said researchers of the study. A team of researchers from the Yonsei University in South Korea shared that overworking had previously been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and mental health issues. They also cited figures from the International Labour Organisation, which estimated that overwork kills more than 800,000 people every year. Start saying 'NO' to overwork Image credits: Getty Images In the digital age, where it is almost impossible to be disconnected from your work as it is accessible in every device you own, is it important that you set some polite boundaries to maintain your health. Some ways to politely say no to overwork is by being honest about your work load, offering alternatives such as different deadlines and being assertive with your boundaries when you feel that working more could potentially impact your health. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Korea Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Working over 52 hours a week linked to structural brain changes, MRI study shows
A new brain imaging study from South Korea suggests that working over 52 hours a week may cause structural changes in the brain, potentially affecting how people think, manage emotions, and handle stress. In a pilot study published Tuesday in the international medical journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, scientists from Yonsei University and Chung-Ang University scanned the brains of 110 health care workers and found significant differences between those regularly working at or above Korea's legal weekly limit of 52 hours and those working fewer hours. South Korea's labor law limits working hours in most jobs to 52 per week, combining a 40-hour standard week with up to 12 hours of overtime. The overworked group of 32 individuals showed a 19 percent increase in volume in the left caudal middle frontal gyrus compared with the non-overworked group. This brain region is associated with attention, working memory, and complex decision-making. In total, 17 areas showed greater volume in those working longer hours, including regions 'associated with executive function and emotional regulation.' 'This study provides preliminary evidence that overwork is associated with structural brain changes, particularly in regions linked to cognition and emotion,' the researchers wrote. 'These findings provide novel neurobiological evidence linking prolonged working hours to structural brain changes.' However, the researchers caution against drawing firm conclusions. The reseach was a cross-sectional study, meaning it looked at conditions at a specific point of time, rather tan changes over time. For this reason, they notes that it was unclear whether these brain changes are the result of long work hours or a pre-existing trait among people inclined to work more. 'The observed associations may be influenced by unmeasured confounders or pre-existing differences rather than a direct effect of prolonged working hours,' they added in the paper. The findings come amid South Korea approaches a snap presidential election on June 3, where working-hour reform is emerging as a major campaign issue. Frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party has pledged to reduce actual labor time by transitioning toward a 4.5-day workweek. His opponent, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, supports flexible hours that keep the 40-hour baseline but allow extended work early in the week for earlier finishes on Fridays. Under his plan, employees would work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, allowing them to leave work four hours earlier on Friday. Kim has also floated loosening enforcement of the current 52-hour cap to accommodate business needs. South Koreans are known for working noticeably more than their peers in other developed nations. OECD's 2022 data shows Korea's average is 122 hours higher than the OECD average of 1,752 hours, equivalent to nearly 15 extra full workdays each year.
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.
