Most people will agree that being a workaholic is a bad thing, which from the term itself shows it has even been referred to as an addiction by some researchers. A lot of people consider them to be “working themselves to death” — But are they, really?
A recent study titled as “Beyond Nine to Five: Is Working to Excess Bad for Health” surveyed 763 employees at a large international financial consulting firm. While there has been some research on workaholics’ self-reported physical and psychological symptoms, this study was one of the first to look at the actual changes in the body measured by doctors. In order to test the implication of working life on health, the researchers investigated whether employees who worked long hours had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol and excess waistline fat known to increase one’s risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Intriguingly, while work hours and workaholism often go hand in hand, not all people who work long hours are workaholics, and not all workaholics work long hours. What’s more, the researchers found that simply working long hours alone didn’t lead to poor health. In fact, employees who worked long hours but were able to mentally “recharge” overnight were not putting their health at risk. But those who worked long hours and also had a compulsive work mentality significantly increased their risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
“If you’re working long hours and you are compulsive — so you’re preoccupied with work all the time, you can’t switch off, you go to bed but you can’t sleep because you’re ruminating about your job, that’s the unhealthy version of working excessive hours.”
Happy vs. Unhappy Workaholics
There was a second finding, one even more intriguing to the researchers. Within the group of true workaholics — those who worked long hours and also couldn’t switch off from work — a striking distinction emerged.
Workaholics who were not engaged with their jobs did show signs of increasingly poor health in terms of metabolic syndrome. However, workaholics who reported being highly engaged and fulfilled in their jobs stayed healthy. In fact, they showed no more risk of developing metabolic syndrome than the average non-workaholic employee.
Another advantage the engaged workaholics had were more personal resources. So they have, for instance, a supportive spouse, or they are more likely to ask for help at work. And maybe that’s why they’re just better at dealing with their work stress. Interestingly, they report that they have more time management skills, more intrinsic motivation (to do their job), and better communication skills.
Engaged workaholics’ pleasure in their work — along with these personal resources — seems to act as a buffering mechanism from developing the precursors to disease. One interesting thing about the study’s findings is that how your outlook and your mindset can affect your body… that mind-body connection.
Recognizing the Dangers
Workers’ health problems cost businesses plenty in the form of absenteeism, turnover and health care costs. And employees who don’t like their jobs but work like crazy at them should realize they may be actually putting their health at risk. There could be serious long-term health consequences.
“Make sure you do build in the time for recovery, and that you maintain some balance, and draw on the sources of support that you have”
Conversely, the good news is that if you’re an engaged workaholic, you’re at less risk than you might think given the commonly accepted wisdom. So, if rushing non-stop from meeting to meeting, crunching numbers long into the night, or jotting down a brilliant idea at 3 a.m. is what you love, and you feel recognized and supported for your achievements, don’t let people tell you that workaholism is ruining your health. Instead, it may be what helps keep you going.