Spending too much time at work not only can eliminate your body, it can also affect your brain.

A new study has found that working 52 hours a week can change the structure of the brain, especially in areas responsible for emotions, memory and decision making.

The findings published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggest that overwork can probably affect a person’s mental and emotional welfare in a long time.

Researchers at the University of Yonsei, South Korea found that those who did a lot of work show clear changes in parts of the brain that help to make decisions and handle emotions.

What was the study found

Researchers have seen healthcare workers, who often work for a long time, compare the work of working standard hours, which put in 52 hours or more per week.

In the final analysis, 110 workers were observed, most of whom were doctors or worked in healthcare.

Of these, 32 people worked for a long time every week, while 78 worked for normal hours.

He found that long-term working people made noticeable changes in some parts of the brain that help in focus, emotional control, memory and problem-solution.

One of the affected major areas was the middle frontal gyrus, a part of the brain was associated with working memory and language processing.

In fact, the region was 19% larger among those who worked for a long time. Other affected areas consisted of better frontal gyrus, which plays a role in decision making and planning, and insula, which helps us to process emotions and be aware of ourselves and our surroundings.

why it matters

The study connects the growing body of evidence that overwork only increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems, which can also lead to physical changes in the brain.

Although it is not yet clear whether these changes are harmful or the way to adapt to the constant stress of the brain, the researchers said that the findings are a wake-up call.

Researchers said, “It can help explain that people who work for a long time, often report to feel mentally and emotionally dry.”

According to the International Labor Organization, overwork causes over 8,00,000 deaths every year worldwide. This new research highlights how the overwork can quietly shape the brain.

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Researchers emphasize that this was a small study and does not prove that long working hours causes changes in the brain directly.

It is also not clear whether the changes he viewed are permanent or reversible. However, he believes that his work is an important first step towards understanding how work habits can affect brain health.

Is this work time to reconsider culture?

The authors of the study urge companies and policy makers to take overwork and implement workplace strategies that limit excessive work hours.

Meanwhile, they encourage people to be careful about their work-life balance.