Recent research from Harvard Business School and Stanford University in California reports that work-related stress is as harmful to health as secondhand smoking.

The report compiled over 228 cases and found that excessive work increases health problems and the likelihood of visiting a doctor by 35%. Additionally, long working hours can shorten life expectancy by nearly 20%, and those who accumulate stress over time or constantly worry about job security are affected by their health up to 50%. Joel Goh, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, stated that this research will help business owners understand their employees' working conditions, as working hard does not always equate to effective work. He also suggested ways to reduce stress as follows:

Write it down. According to psychologists, we should write down our feelings on paper because it not only helps release stress but also allows us to see problems and potential solutions more clearly.

Check the reality. Harvard's research shows that the most stressed individuals are those worried about job loss. Therefore, dare to ask yourself how secure your job is. Is it at risk of being terminated? You might also seek perspectives from trusted colleagues to gain insights from an outside viewpoint.

Ask yourself if you love your job. Joanna Lipari, a psychologist from Los Angeles, noted that her patients experience less work-related stress when they love what they do. When you love your job, the happiness that comes with it can lead to reduced stress.

Set your own limits. If your boss expects you to work 10 hours a day instead of the usual 8, you should tell them "no" and explain how much more effective you can be in 8 hours. Also, don't forget that work is not everything in your life; your health is what truly matters.

Thanks to information from www.thaihealth.or.th