Why Working Too Hard May Be Ruining Your Health

"Work hard, play hard" they say. But sometimes that mentality ends up on a seesaw with one side much heavier than the other. We've all been told the importance of balance, but sometimes we get in a mindset that makes us forget what we're lacking. We know that when we play too hard, our wallets feel lighter, our waists feel wider and our beauty sleep feels like a thing of the past. It can also lead you down a windy road to nowhere fast except for the loss of your job. And on the other hand, working too hard has its downfalls as well. You want a raise, you want the corner office, you want a promotion that will give you enough money to buy that house you'll never spend enough time in. Working too hard is a thing, and if you don't find that happy medium now, you could be setting yourself up for some serious health risks. [bctt tweet="Why Working Too Hard May Be Ruining Your Health"] A study published in The Lancet concluded that people working 55 hours a week or more were 33 percent more likely to suffer from a stroke. The study also found that they were 13 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease. Work a typical nine to five job? You're not in the clear. The study discovered that even people who worked 41 hours a week suffered from stress as well, increasing their risk by 10 percent. And all that working was found to lead people to not only stress out, but lash out by taking up unhealthy behaviours like overindulgent drinking habits and saying sayonara to regular gym visits. Your brain can be affected, too. A new study in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that employees whose jobs required them to be available after hours were typically more stressed, resulting in higher cortisol levels. So even if employees weren't necessarily working, the thought of knowing they may be called upon caused them to go into panic mode. The long-term effects of this can lead to anxiety and depression. So if you're a bonafide workaholic, it's time to rethink your habits and find a way to balance yourself out. Do you work too hard, and have you found that stress has taken control? To help relieve stress, why not stream a workout on SweatFlix℠? With over 90 hours of on demand content, you'll always find something to suit your mood! Source: Shape