Having work schedules that resemble real rollercoasters is a constant in the lives of many Portuguese people. In addition to affecting mental health and affecting the moments spent with friends and family, it can also jeopardize long-term health. It not only has immediate consequences, but also a few years from now.
Do you wake up early and only go out after work at night? Over time, there is a high probability that you will start to notice a deterioration in your health. According to a study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, which analyzed the relationship between how work patterns affect health throughout adulthood, the conclusions are not encouraging.
“About three-quarters of the work patterns we observed did not strictly correspond to stable work”Wen-Jui Han, sole author of the study and professor at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, told PLOS ONE magazine.
“People with work patterns that involved any degree of volatility and variability were more likely to have fewer hours of sleep per day, lower sleep quality, lower physical and mental function, and more likely to report poor health and depressive symptoms to their peers. 50 years than those with stable working hours.”
The study defined normal times as those that start early in the morning – at 6am or later – and end in the late afternoon. Outside this time window, the consequences can become serious. What’s more: these effects can be even worse for people from more vulnerable social groups.
If this is your work reality, don’t be discouraged. Experts suggest that, even when facing unstable schedules, there are strategies to take care of your health. Simple things like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and spending time with family can help offset the drawbacks that work schedules can cause.
