Good News Monday: Six-Hour Workday Reaps Benefits

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Six-Hour Workday Reaps Benefits is now proven in multiple global studies but is anyone in the executive suites of America’s corporations listening? I fear the only way this will get on the agenda in the board room is if the working populace take the initiative to make it happen. Just like Brexit in the United Kingdom. The will of the people prevails.

While traveling globally for my work with McCann World Group New York I was fortunate to be exposed to many other cultures.  One over-riding thing I learned that is stunning to me – American’s Live to Work, Healthier Cultures Work to Live. Right? Right! And with the advancements of technology we actually work more hours rather than less.

I was raised in the midwest where the virtues of hard work were deeply seeded from the time I could walk. And as I reflect upon my career with much gratitude for the many benefits I enjoyed, I did live up this high standard as so many others have. To be honest, in looking back I wonder WHY? I believe did it mostly in service of others – it was my justification. I wonder what was really required of me?  What drove me to sacrifice so much of my personal time even when not at the office to the JOB?  Can you relate to this? Many Americans work 50 hours a week or more because they think they PINIMAGEfeel the need to over produce for job security or will get more done and reap the benefits later.

However, according to a metastudy published by The Lancet, proper that clock a 55 hour work week have a 33 per cent greater risk of stroke and 13 per cent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than those that maintain a 35 to 40 hour work week. Data from 25 strides that monitored the health of 600,000 people from the U.S., Europe and Australia for up to 8.5 years were analyzed.

Paul Kelly of Oxford’s University’s Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, notes that even a traditional none-to-five workday is at odds with people’s internal body clocks, contributing to sleep deprivation. Now Sweden is moving toward a standard six-hour workday, with some businesses having already implemented the change. It is reported the shift has maintained productivity while decreasing staff conflicts, because people are happier and better rested. Several Toyota service centers in Gothenburg that switched to a six-hour day 13 years ago also report happier staff, a lower turnover rate and increased ease in enticing new hires.

Good News Monday: Six-Hour Workday Reaps Benefits is worthy of personal consideration. When I left corporate life to start my advisory firm, it became apparent many others choose this alternative path for that very reason. To strike balance in their lives. I do feel this is a CHOICE to make which can enhance your health and wellness on many dimensions. I now realize it to be true. They too want the freedom to make choices about their time and how they would spend it. Now we know the positive health benefits of such choices to convince us.

Smart. Very Smart. Wish I would have embraced this way of working much earlier in my career.

How about you? What are your views on this subject?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny