Overwork - What Causes Fatigue: Chronic Fatigue

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Overwork

Overwork is another common cause of persistent lack of energy. Americans are working longer hours than they were 30 years ago, in contrast to people in most other developed countries. This is particularly true if work at home is added to that in the workplace, and is more true of women than of men. During the 1990s, people added an average of 36 hours of work, or nearly a full week, to their work year. Small wonder that a 2004 study found that one in three employees in the United States is chronically overworked (see "All work, no play," below). When you consider commuting time, which has increased in recent years as traffic has swelled, many people are spending nearly all of their waking hours either working or getting to and from work. Even if you telecommute, you may find that working at home means that you are expected to be always in touch, effectively trading commuting time for more time at your desk at odd hours.

Overwork isn't limited to the time spent working and commuting. There's also the "second shift" of meals and household chores, as well as social obligations and the responsibility of caring for an aging spouse, parent, or young children. This second shift is longest for women, who generally shoulder more of the home and family responsibilities even when they work full time (see "Caring for a family member").

All work, no play? About one-fourth of Americans report being over­whelmed by the amount of work they have to do. About one-third of those who feel overworked also feel highly stressed. About one-third of Ameri­can workers say they do not intend to take all of the vaca­tion days they are entitled to. About one-fifth of American workers sometimes or often do work while on vacation.

The consequences of overwork

Where do you find the time to fit everything into one day? If you're like most overworked people, you probably skimp on sleep, either by staying up later or getting up earlier. Even when you finally do go to bed, you may have trouble falling asleep, or you may wake up in the middle of the night worrying about something that you have to do. Lack of sleep takes its toll on your energy level.

But sleep deprivation isn't the only way that overwork causes fatigue. When you work long hours or pack your daily schedule with one activity after another, your body remains on heightened alert by churning out stress hormones. As with a true stress response, these hormones get your heart pumping and the blood flowing to your brain and muscles, causing your body to burn a lot of energy. If you don't give yourself the chance to unwind and refuel, you'll become progressively more fatigued.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007