Gigantic brain growth: how much work our thinking changes!

Gigantic brain growth: how much work our thinking changes!

Wien, Österreich - A current study from Korea shows that extensive working hours can cause measurable changes in the brain. According to this investigation, which was published on May 14, 2025, people who work 52 hours or more per week show striking differences compared to working hours with regular working hours. Research has shown that the mean frontal lobbon is around 20 percent larger for those with high workload. This could have an impact on cognitive performance, as Wolfgang Lalouschek, a Viennese occupational doctor, explains. Larger brain regions could therefore mean increased cognitive performance.

However, the study also deals with possible negative consequences. A higher susceptibility to stress is more likely in people who work. Interestingly, it is found that the inner attitude towards work is crucial. Employees who consider their work as sensible can better compensate for stress. It turns out that the perception of work as a valuable employment offers a buffer against the adverse effects of stress formation, which underlines the results again.

insight into the world of work

The discussion about working hours and their effects on health is also very important in broader vertical science. According to science.de, employed people should be efficient and satisfied with their work in the long term. In this context, employers have started to offer various working time models to facilitate the balance between professional and private life. But at the same time, experts warn that too high loads can significantly reduce productivity.

Legal regulations in many countries provide a regular working time of eight hours a day and 40 hours a week. However, up to 60 hours a week can be allowed in exceptions, even if this usually only applies to short periods of time. Flexible working time designs could theoretically strengthen the time sovereignty of the employees, but it must be ensured that they do not lead to excessive workload.

risks and challenges

An impending danger of long working hours is the increasingly blurred line between work and leisure, especially for home office options. This can endanger employee protection, since the separation of professional and private life is often no longer clear. The pressure to be constantly accessible can also lead to a reduced recreational period, which has a negative impact on general well -being.

The study also indicates long -term health risks associated with excessive work, including exhaustion, sleep problems and an increased risk of serious diseases. In particular, the frequency of accident increases significantly with longer working hours, which can have fatal consequences in critical professions. Exposure to high loads is also a great risk for the companies, since this can lead to higher fluctuation, more frequent sick reports and overall falling productivity.

In summary, it can be stated that employers and employees must have found different ways in order to counter the challenges of the modern world of work. Flexible work models that respect the health of employees and at the same time increase their satisfaction and productivity are of crucial importance. However, a focus should always be on the balance between workload and social life in order to promote sustainable and healthy working environment.