American researchers assert that a fixed work schedule—from nine in the morning to six in the evening—is the best for our health.
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, professionals around the globe have embraced the benefits of remote work, which allows for greater flexibility in managing their time. Meanwhile, scientists at New York University conducted a study revealing the detrimental effects of an unstable work schedule.
What Scientists Discovered
According to the research 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 overall physical and mental health at age 50.
Those who favored an unstable work schedule reported significantly more issues with sleep and depression towards the end of their careers compared to those who maintained traditional working hours.
The most striking results were observed among individuals who had a stable work schedule in their 20s but switched to a more flexible arrangement in their 30s.
Despite the notion that , the research team believes that an unstable work schedule inevitably leads to , physical fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, the negative impact of work schedules on health accumulates over a lifetime, making individuals more vulnerable to various chronic diseases.
Comment from the Lead Researcher
As noted by the team leader, Professor Wen-Jui Han, about three-quarters of participants did not maintain a stable work schedule throughout their professional lives.
According to her, this had certain consequences. Individuals who disregarded a traditional schedule were more likely to experience sleep deprivation, poorer sleep quality, and lower physical and cognitive functions. By age 50, they reported worse health and symptoms of depression more frequently than those who adhered to a stable work schedule.
The researcher also explained that people 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 findings were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Interestingly, previous research has shown that : researchers suggested that working during non-traditional hours disrupts —our internal biological clock. As a result, people lose quality sleep, which negatively impacts brain function.
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