Latest news with #ChungAngUniversity
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Your brain physically changes when you work too much, scientists warn
New research has found that being overworked can physically alter the brain. Researchers in South Korea set out to understand how working long hours impact the cognitive and emotional health of employees. The study, published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, assessed the brain volume of 110 healthcare workers who were classified by the categories of overworked – working greater than or equal to 52 hours per week – and non-overworked. The results revealed that overworked individuals exhibited "significant changes" in brain regions that are associated with executive function and emotional regulation. Study co-author Wanhyung Lee, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor at Chung-Ang University College of Medicine in Seoul, told Fox News Digital that this is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between prolonged working hours and structural brain changes. "We initially had no clear expectations regarding what we might discover," he revealed. "Therefore, we found the results particularly intriguing." The researcher noted that increased brain volume associated with cognitive and emotional functions was an "unexpected and fascinating" observation of the study. "These findings open new questions and underscore the complexity of how chronic occupational stress might affect brain health, highlighting the need for further detailed investigations," he said. The increased brain volume as observed was found in regions associated with executive functions, Lee said, such as memory, decision-making and attention — as well as emotional regulation, such as stress management and emotional stability. While these changes may initially reflect a need to manage "ongoing occupational stress," according to Lee, there could be potential risks of prolonged or chronic alterations. This could include neural strain, inflammation or maladaptive reorganization. "Although our current study cannot conclusively determine the long-term impacts, ongoing exposure without sufficient recovery may negatively affect cognitive and emotional health," he said. Lee urged employees who work excessive hours to recognize that chronic stress can lead to physical brain changes, not just psychological complications. This emphasizes the need to manage workload, prioritize rest and maintain emotional balance. "At the same time, individual efforts alone are not sufficient; organizational support and proactive management by companies to create healthy working conditions are essential to protect employees' brain health," he said. "With the rapid advancement of smartphones and digital technology, work increasingly extends beyond traditional office hours into personal time, making chronic overwork more common and less visible," Lee went on. "Employers and policymakers must also acknowledge and address these evolving work patterns to support sustainable working environments." The researcher recognized the progressive move toward becoming an "overwork society." He urged employees to "actively set boundaries, ensure regular rest and recovery, practice stress management, and advocate for workplace policies that clearly define and respect healthy work-hour limits." Dr. Paul Saphier, a neurosurgeon and founder of Coaxial Neurosurgical Specialists in New Jersey, was not involved in the study but commented on the findings in an interview with Fox News Digital. Saphier considered the study interesting, yet not "overly surprising." "There is no question that mental stress and fatigue, either with sleep deprivation, anxiety, long periods of intense concentration, etc., lead to alteration of neurotransmitter release and additional physiological changes," he said. "This may ultimately lead to anatomical changes within the brain." Experts have known that professions that require "crisp cognitive awareness" with "zero room for error" — such as airline pilots and medical professionals — benefit from "limited consecutive work hours to reduce errors," said the neurosurgeon. Kyle Elliott, a California-based tech career coach and mental health expert, also weighed in during a separate interview with Fox News Digital. "Caring for your mental health and well-being is essential if you want to be a productive employee," he said. "Neglecting your mental health can not only affect your ability to work effectively but also negatively impact your physical health and longevity." For more Health articles, visit Elliot encouraged employees to advocate for their needs. "Don't be afraid to speak up [at work or to employers] if you need to take a break or time off to protect your mental or physical health," he said. "Your mind and body will thank you in the long run." The expert suggested taking smaller steps to preserve mental health and prevent burnout, such as taking allocated breaks throughout the workday, connecting with people who are safe to share your frustration with and limiting time on social media.
Free Malaysia Today
01-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Working long hours could alter brain structure, study finds
A new study reveals structural alterations in the brains of those who work more than 52 hours a week. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Like many working people, you may have extended your day at the office, long after your colleagues have left, to answer emails or finish an urgent task. But at what cost? This habit, deeply rooted in many professional cultures, is gradually undermining personal wellbeing – it feeds chronic stress and weakens mental and physical health, to the point of disrupting the very functioning of the brain. These are the findings of researchers from Chung-Ang and Yonsei Universities in South Korea. Analysing the effects of overwork on the human brain, they conducted a study involving 110 professionals, mostly from the healthcare sector. The participants were divided into two groups: the first comprised 32 people working 52 hours or more a week; the second, 78 people with standard working hours. Brain imaging revealed clear differences in grey matter volumes, particularly in areas associated with executive function and emotional regulation. The results are striking: the scientists found a significant increase in grey matter in certain brain regions as a possible physical effect of burnout. The middle frontal gyrus, which plays a role in attention, memory and advanced cognitive functions, showed a 19% increase in volume in the most overworked workers. Other areas were also affected, such as the superior frontal gyrus, involved in planning and decision-making, and the insula, essential for self-awareness, emotional management and interpreting social context. The experts state in a press release that 'the observed changes in brain volume may provide a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges often reported in overworked individuals'. A joint study by the WHO and ILO in 2021 attributed more than 745,000 deaths a year to overwork. (Envato Elements pic) What exactly does this mean? For now, the answer remains unclear. 'While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health,' the researchers say. For the time being, it is impossible to determine whether these changes are directly caused by overwork, whether they pre-exist it, or whether they are reversible. Although the study sample remains small – consisting exclusively of South Korean healthcare workers – the results form part of a worrying trend. In 2021, a joint study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization attributed over 745,000 deaths a year to overwork. The link between long working hours and cognitive decline is now well documented, and at a time when trials of the four-day week are multiplying, these conclusions serve as a wake-up call. 'The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern, and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours,' the researchers caution. Concrete measures – legislation, public policy, time limits – therefore need to be considered to protect workers in the long term.
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Lee Jae-wook, the Alchemy of Souls star who shines in Netflix's Dear Hongrang?
Young Korean star Lee Jae-wook's cool gaze and pouty lips are front and centre once again in the stylish period drama Dear Hongrang, his first lead role in a Netflix original series – and he is already hard at work on his second. Unlike many of his peers, Seoul native Lee did not dream of seeing himself on the screen from a young age. He was in his second year of high school when he caught the acting bug, but it came on fast and hard, and before long he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Lee practised and studied hard and was accepted to a number of universities, eventually choosing Chung-Ang University in central Seoul, where he enrolled in theatre and film. From there he was drawn to the entertainment industry, auditioning for a major K-drama series in his first year. The rest, as they say, is history. Lee Jae-wook as Sim Hongrang/Soul Reaper in a still from Dear Hongrang. Photo: Eunjung Kim/Netflix The part he auditioned for was the charismatic hacker Marco Han, a supporting character in Memories of the Alhambra, a series headlined by Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Working long hours? It could be altering the structure of your brain, new study says
Working long hours is linked to changes in brain structure, according to a new study. Maskot/Getty Images via CNN Newsource Long working hours might not just be bad for you, they could also be altering the structure of your brain, a new study suggests. The research, published Tuesday, found 'significant changes' in the brains of people who were overworking, which is a combination of physical and emotional overexertion, as well as a lack of rest. The research was conducted by two scientists at South Korea's Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University, who followed 110 healthcare workers classified into 'overworked' and 'non-overworked' groups. In South Korea, where 52 hours of work per week is the legal upper limit, overworking has become a public health concern. The overworked group, clocking 52 hours or more each week, consisted of 32 people who were on average younger, in employment for less time and more highly educated in comparison to those working standard hours. By comparing data from a different study and MRI scans, the researchers were able to use a neuroimaging technique to analyze the workers' brain volume. The technique allowed them to identify and compare differences in levels of gray matter in different regions of the brain, while the application of atlas-based analysis meant they could identify and label structures in brain scans. 'People who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours,' researchers said in a press release. Areas of the brain that showed an increase in volume include the middle frontal gyrus, which plays a major role in cognitive functions, attention, memory and language-related processes, as well as the insula, which is involved in emotional processing, self-awareness and understanding social context. Researchers believe their findings suggest a 'potential relationship' between having an increased workload and changes in these parts of the brain, providing a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges reported by people who are overworked. Joon Yul Choi, coauthor of the study and an assistant professor at Yonsei University's Department of Biomedical Engineering, told CNN that these changes might be 'at least in part, reversible' if environmental stressors are reversed. Still, returning to your brain's baseline state could take much longer. 'Important new evidence' Previous research has also found evidence of the negative health impacts of long working hours. In 2021, joint research from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that overworking led to more than 745,000 deaths in a year. Long hours have also been found to raise the risk of diabetes in women and contribute to a decline in cognitive ability. While these behavioral and psychological consequences of overwork are well-known, the underlying neurological mechanisms and changes in anatomy are less understood, the study explained. Frank Pega, who led the WHO-ILO 2021 study, told CNN that these latest findings constitute 'important new evidence' that could help better understand how long working hours 'radically' impact the physical health of workers. Pega, a WHO technical officer who was not involved in this latest study, said the research supports WHO-ILO's findings that 'long working hours contribute the largest burden of disease of all occupational risk factors identified so far.' However, the study's small sample size and focus only on healthcare workers in South Korea makes it hard to generalize its results. 'More studies in different populations are needed,' said Pega. 'While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health,' said the researchers. As for anyone stuck working long hours? Now you might have a scientific basis to cut down on your time at work. 'Governments, employers, and workers can all take actions to protect workers' health from long working hours,' advised Pega, citing laws, regulations and policies that can ensure healthy work hours. 'The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern,' said the study's authors. Jonny Gifford, principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies in Brighton, England, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that the research 'confirms some physiological reasons that working long hours affects our wellbeing.' 'The use of brain scanning equipment to give neurological explanations gives powerful new evidence linking overwork with structural changes in parts of the brain involved in executive function and emotional regulation,' he said. 'It's a small study of 110 healthcare workers in Korea, but because it is based on robust neurological measures and concerns fundamental mechanisms (overwork and fatigue) that can affect anyone, the central findings are widely relevant,' Gifford added. The study was published in the journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
CNN
13-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Working long hours? It could be altering the structure of your brain
Long working hours might not just be bad for you, they could also be altering the structure of your brain, a new study suggests. The research, published Tuesday, found 'significant changes' in the brains of people who were overworking, which is a combination of physical and emotional overexertion, as well as a lack of rest. The research was conducted by two scientists at South Korea's Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University, who followed 110 healthcare workers classified into 'overworked' and 'non-overworked' groups. In South Korea, where 52 hours of work per week is the legal upper limit, overworking has become a public health concern. The overworked group, clocking 52 hours or more each week, consisted of 32 people who were on average younger, in employment for less time and more highly educated in comparison to those working standard hours. By comparing data from a different study and MRI scans, the researchers were able to use a neuroimaging technique to analyse the workers' brain volume. The technique allowed them to identify and compare differences in levels of gray matter in different regions of the brain, while the application of atlas-based analysis meant they could identify and label structures in brain scans. 'People who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours,' researchers said in a press release. Areas of the brain that showed an increase in volume include the middle frontal gyrus, which plays a major role in cognitive functions, attention, memory and language-related processes, as well as the insula, which is involved in emotional processing, self-awareness and understanding social context. Researchers believe their findings suggest a 'potential relationship' between having an increased workload and changes in these parts of the brain, providing a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges reported by people who are overworked. Joon Yul Choi, coauthor of the study and an assistant professor at Yonsei University's Department of Biomedical Engineering, told CNN that these changes might be 'at least in part, reversible' if environmental stressors are reversed. Still, returning to your brain's baseline state could take much longer. Previous research has also found evidence of the negative health impacts of long working hours. In 2021, joint research from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that overworking led to more than 745,000 deaths in a year. Long hours have also been found to raise the risk of diabetes in women and contribute to a decline in cognitive ability. While these behavioral and psychological consequences of overwork are well-known, the underlying neurological mechanisms and changes in anatomy are less understood, the study explained. Frank Pega, who led the WHO-ILO 2021 study, told CNN that these latest findings constitute 'important new evidence' that could help better understand how long working hours 'radically' impact the physical health of workers. Pega, a WHO technical officer who was not involved in this latest study, said the research supports WHO-ILO's findings that 'long working hours contribute the largest burden of disease of all occupational risk factors identified so far.' However, the study's small sample size and focus only on healthcare workers in South Korea makes it hard to generalize its results. 'More studies in different populations are needed,' said Pega. 'While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health,' said the researchers. As for anyone stuck working long hours? Now you might have a scientific basis to cut down on your time at work. 'Governments, employers, and workers can all take actions to protect workers' health from long working hours,' advised Pega, citing laws, regulations and policies that can ensure healthy work hours. 'The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern,' said the study's authors. Jonny Gifford, principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies in Brighton, England, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that the research 'confirms some physiological reasons that working long hours affects our wellbeing.' 'The use of brain scanning equipment to give neurological explanations gives powerful new evidence linking overwork with structural changes in parts of the brain involved in executive function and emotional regulation,' he said. 'It's a small study of 110 healthcare workers in Korea, but because it is based on robust neurological measures and concerns fundamental mechanisms (overwork and fatigue) that can affect anyone, the central findings are widely relevant,' Gifford added. The study was published in the journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. CNN's Jack Guy contributed to this report.
