What happens to your body if you work too much?

Asked by: Jimmie Robel  |  Last update: June 27, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (53 votes)

The health consequences of long working hours vary depending on factors such as the length of the working hours, job characteristics, socioeconomic status, and the individual's health condition. Overworking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, as well as affecting mental health.

What are the symptoms of an overworked body?

What are overtraining syndrome symptoms?

  • Muscle pain and stiffness.
  • Unexpected weight loss or weight gain.
  • Anxiety.
  • Poor sleep, or waking up feeling tired.
  • Getting sick more often with minor issues like colds.

What is the 9 9 6 rule?

The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule that derives its name from its requirement that workers clock in from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week, resulting in employees working 12 hours per day and 72 hours per week. It is practiced illegally by some companies in China.

What hours is considered overworking?

Further, a study found that working 12 or more hours per day and 60 or more hours per week increased the risk of occupational injury [49].

Is working 13 hours a day healthy?

1 - Increased Fatigue and Health Risks

Additionally, studies have shown that extended work hours can contribute to long-term health problems such as cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and increased stress levels.

How stress affects your body - Sharon Horesh Bergquist

44 related questions found

At what age do you start feeling tired and old?

Understanding When Aging and Fatigue Begin

Generally, many individuals begin to notice subtle changes in energy levels and physical resilience in their late 30s to early 40s. This period often marks the start of a gradual decline in stamina, recovery speed, and sometimes mental sharpness.

What is the #1 happiest job?

10 of the Happiest and Most Satisfying Jobs

  1. 1 | Real Estate Sales Agents. ...
  2. 2 | Construction Managers. ...
  3. 3 | Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers. ...
  4. 4 | Software Developers. ...
  5. 5 | Fitness Trainers and Instructors. ...
  6. 6 | Firefighters. ...
  7. 7 | Clergy. ...
  8. 8 | Physicians and Surgeons.

How many hours a day is too much work?

Overworking Has a Negative Effect On Our Wellbeing: Burnout and Stress in the Workplace. People who work long hours are twice as likely to have a major depressive episode, according to a study, especially if they work more than 11 hours per day.

What are signs you're not valued at work?

1 – Being Below Average. The first mistake is being below average or worse at the job you do. Doing an average or better job, especially after 6 months in role, is vital to being valued at work by bosses and team members. Below average means you are making their lives harder.

What trauma causes workaholism?

CEA is a significant traumatic experience that can have long-lasting psychological effects; hence, investigating its link to workaholism provides valuable insights into how CEA impacts individuals' work-related attitudes and behaviors.

When is work stress too much?

Excessive stress at work drains your emotional reserves.

You may notice increased irritability with colleagues, family, or friends, heightened anxiety about job duties, feelings of being overwhelmed, or a sense of dread about going to work (what many in DC experience as “Sunday Scaries”).

What's a better word for overworked?

exhausted fatigued overburdened strained. STRONG. overloaded overtaxed stressed tense. WEAK. burned out stressed out under stress.

What is the healthiest shift to work?

Regardless of preference, irregular work weeks and overnight shifts can negatively impact their health, increasing fatigue and reducing long-term performance. Ideal shift schedule: Late-morning to evening shifts (9 AM–5 PM or 11 AM–7 PM) work best with their sleep cycle.

What scares HR the most?

Discrimination & Harassment Issues

HR's goal is to provide every employee with a safe and healthy work environment. When faced with employee misconduct issues such as workplace discrimination or harassment, even the most sensible HR practitioner can feel vulnerable or uncertain.

How long does Gen Z stay at a job?

A new report by Randstad offers insight into the reasoning behind this Gen Z trend. The data revealed that the average tenure for Gen Z employees in the first five years of their career is just about 1.1 years. This is significantly shorter than Millennials (1.8), Gen X (2.8), and Baby Boomers (2.9).

What is the unhappiest job in the world?

The 10 Unhappiest Jobs Elementary & Secondary School Teachers – Overworked, underpaid, and undervalued despite shaping future generations. Retail Workers – Long hours, low wages, and customer stress. Nursing Assistants – Emotionally taxing roles in understaffed environments.

What jobs suit ADHD brains?

Creative fields, emergency services, entrepreneurship, sales and technology roles are great for people with ADHD because they reward quick thinking, adaptability and hyperfocus.

Which 3 jobs will survive AI?

Healthcare providers, skilled trades workers, and creative strategists are the three job categories least likely to be replaced by AI. These roles require human empathy, physical dexterity in unpredictable environments, or complex creative judgment—things AI can't replicate yet.

What vitamin deficiency causes fatigue?

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over 50% of the global population, and approximately 12.5% have iron deficiency anemia.

How much sleep does a 70 year old need?

Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults — seven to nine hours each night. But older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger. Getting enough sleep helps you stay healthy and alert.

What are the 7 signs of aging?

The Seven Most Common Signs of Aging

  • Crow's feet. These are those little wrinkles that most men and women develop at the corners of their eyes. ...
  • Nasolabial folds. ...
  • Sagging jowls. ...
  • Age spots and wrinkles on hands. ...
  • Under eye circles. ...
  • Heavy upper eyelids. ...
  • Sagging brows.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

The most vulnerable roles include data entry clerks, telemarketers, customer service reps, fast food workers, and drivers — basically, any job with repetitive, routine tasks. But here's the good news: 170 million new roles will emerge in the same period.

Who enjoys their job the most?

Men report higher overall job satisfaction than women, with men scoring 10% higher satisfaction scores in surveys. Happy staff will stay with their employers 7 times longer than unhappy employees.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

$2000 per day jobs

  • Endodontist 50K SIGN-ON BONUS! ...
  • Wound Care Physician (MD/DO) – 1099 – Flexible Schedule. ...
  • Urologist Physician. ...
  • Optometrist. ...
  • Emergency Medicine Doctor. ...
  • OBGYN Physician Opportunity Close to New Orleans and Biloxi - $500K Salary with $100K Signing Bonus.