Friday, August 24, 2012

Is your work killing you?

Working non-stop could be the ladder to a promotion and a host of health problems...

Most urban Indians are caught-up in a fast-paced lifestyle where home is a place to quickly gulp down dinner, exchange a word or two with the children and other members of the family, and then either pin the phone to the ear or start punching the keys of the laptop. Not that you’re to be blamed; yes, the times are such, but while you flow with the rapids, it’s also important to be wary of the rocks along the way. And stress happens to be the harmful side-effect of overwork, which can lead to various health issues. A survey conducted by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy reported that one in every four employees is risking their health by working continuously without breaks or by reporting to duty while ill and working for long hours with no space for exercise in their schedules. In our country, people employed in the BPO sector suffer additional stress as their body clock goes for a six as their work begins at night and ends at day-break.

Dr. Ajay Pal Singh, Consultant Psychiatrist at Max Healthcare, agrees with the findings of the survey and adds, “It’s only in the last couple of years that cases of health issues due to stress have started pouring in. I have seen patients struck with depression, hypertension, loss in immunity, obesity and back and joint problems due to overwork.” In this competitive environment, overwork is inevitable. “But by accommodating some exercise like half-an-hour walks daily, healthy and timely eating habits, and taking a vacation once in a while, will reduce the risk of health problems”, said Dr. Singh.