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American researchers claim that a fixed work schedule—from nine in the morning to six in the evening—is the best for our health.
After the COVID pandemic, professionals around the world have embraced the benefits of remote work, which allows for more flexible scheduling. Meanwhile, scientists at New York University conducted a study revealing the harmful effects of unstable work hours.
What the Researchers Discovered
According to the team’s findings, adhering to a traditional work schedule is healthier for us. To reach this conclusion, the researchers involved over 7,000 participants in their study. They were particularly interested in whether employment patterns in early adulthood were linked to sleep quality and physical and mental health at age 50.
Those who favored an unstable work schedule reported significantly more issues with sleep and depression by the end of their careers compared to those who maintained traditional working hours.
The most striking results were observed in individuals who had a stable work schedule at age 20 but switched to a more flexible routine by age 30.
The team believes that an unstable work schedule inevitably leads to sleep problems, physical fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, the negative impact of such a schedule on health accumulates over a lifetime, making individuals more vulnerable to various chronic diseases, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Comment from the Lead Researcher
As noted by the team leader, Professor Wen-Jui Han, about three-quarters of participants did not adhere to a stable work schedule throughout their professional lives.
According to her, this had certain consequences. People who disregarded a traditional schedule were more likely to experience sleep deprivation, poorer sleep quality, and lower physical and cognitive functioning. By age 50, they reported worse health and more symptoms of depression than those who followed a stable work routine.
The researcher also explained that individuals with unstable work schedules ultimately have worse health compared to those who do not work at all.
“An inconsistent work schedule can become a chronic stressor in our lives,” Professor Wen-Jui Han remarked.
The study’s results were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Additionally, previous research has shown that unstable work schedules are also linked to memory decline and slower information processing in the brain.
The researchers suggested that working during non-traditional hours disrupts circadian rhythms—our internal biological clock. As a result, people lose quality sleep, which negatively affects brain function.
