Working a job with unusual hours could impact your health later in life
BOSTON - A new study finds working unusual hours can impact your health later in life.
Previous studies have found that working outside a traditional nine-to-five workday can have a negative effect on physical health, mental health, and family life, but researchers at NYU found the effects can persist even when people switch to jobs with more normal hours.
They looked at data on more than 7,000 adults over 30 in the U.S. and found that compared to those who worked more traditional hours, people with more volatile work schedules, like working overnights or early morning shifts, had lower sleep quality and were more likely to report depressive symptoms at age 50. They also found that Black Americans were more likely to have unusual work schedules associated with poorer health, suggesting that some groups are disproportionately affected.