Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The New Coffee Room. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Feeling guilty about retirement?
Topic Started: Jul 25 2017, 05:57 AM (100 Views)
Copper
Member Avatar
Shortstop

http://www.sciencepunch.com/people-40-work-3-days-week-experts-claim/

Quote:
 
PEOPLE OVER 40 SHOULD ONLY WORK 3 DAYS A WEEK, EXPERTS CLAIM

If you are at age 40+ and starting to think you’re no longer fully able to focus and remember facts, you could point the finger at your work as the contributing factor.

A recent research study conducted by experts at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research produced interesting findings. Namely, while working up to 30 hours per week is good for the cognitive function in the fourth decade of life, any additional overload causes one’s performance to decline.

Actually, people who worked 55 hours a week or more had the greatest cognitive decline than those who were without a job, retired or didn’t work at all.

The research included 3500 female and 3000 male subjects at age 40+. While the subjects did cognitive function tests their work performance was being monitored.

The test known as Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, measured how able they were to read words aloud, match letters and numbers in speed trials and recite lists of numbers. The author of this test, Professor Colin McKenzie of the University of Melbourne, states that both ‘knowing’ and ‘thinking’ were significant indicators. Reading tests is the ‘knowing’ element of ability, whilst ‘thinking’ comprises memory, executive, and abstract reasoning.

While certain degree of intellectual stimulation is believed to benefit the retaining of cognitive function in later age, with brain puzzles such as crosswords and Sudoku who preserve brain capacity in older persons, excessive stimulation has the opposite effect.

Professor McKenzie said for the British newspaper The Times that many countries are aiming to raise the retirement age, forcing people to work longer as they will be unable to claim benefits until later age. His opinion is that the amount of work may have significant important relevance on this.

The degree of intellectual stimulation may depend on working hours. Work can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can trigger brain activity, but at the same time working too long can lead to fatigue and stress, which potentially damages cognitive functions.

McKenzie believes that part-time work may benefit in preserving brain function at middle and older age. So the question arises, should people who can afford it reduce their working hours? And does the type of work represent a factor?

A person would think that a less stressful job they enjoy would cause less damage on their stress and fatigue levels. However, the Hilda test does not analyze how the type of work affects the results, so this is something to consider.

Professor McKenzie discusses, “It’s very difficult to identify the causal effects of the type of work on cognitive functions. People may be selected into certain occupations according to their cognitive abilities.” Certainly, professions that involve working long under stress, in competitive, demanding areas will generally damage one’s health.

As most of us are forced to continue working after age 40, taking care of your health, spending restful vacations, and extending your down time becomes essential. Professor McKenzie suggests that, “Working full time – over 40 hours a week – is still better than no work in terms of maintaining cognitive function, but it is not maximizing the potential effects of work.”

Apparently, balance is necessary, especially as governments in some countries have plans to introduce full-time work requirements until the age of 67.

What is your opinion on this important issue? Do you feel that reduction in hours would benefit people’s cognitive performance?


The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Improviso
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
Quote:
 
Feeling guilty about retirement?

Ummm... not likely. :thumb: :P
Identifying narcissists isn't difficult. Just look for the person who is constantly fishing for compliments
and admiration while breaking down over even the slightest bit of criticism.

We have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jolly
Member Avatar
Geaux Tigers!
How about guys who worked over 55 hours a week in their 50's?
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
George K
Member Avatar
Finally
I'm sorry. I just woke up from my afternoon nap. Did someone say something about work?
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Horace
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
Working long hours makes your brain tired huh. Hmm. I wonder if exercising for a long time makes you physically tired. Anybody known an expert we can ask?
As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good?
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chris Aher
Member Avatar
Middle Aged Carp
Regards,
Chris
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · The New Coffee Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply