The Risks of Working 120 Hours a Week: A Warning from a Former High-Intensity Worker

Many professionals find themselves faced with the challenge of maintaining grueling work schedules, often reaching up to 120 hours a week. While some may believe that it is possible to do so without repercussions, research and personal experiences suggest that such workloads come with severe consequences for both physical and mental health.

Short-Term and Long-Term Impacts

No matter how short a period you may work at such an intense pace, the repercussions are often immediate and can persist for months, or even years. Short-term impacts might include sleeping disturbances, poor nutrition, and mental exhaustion. These can quickly lead to a decline in productivity and an increase in error rates. If you are managing a job that is primarily physical with few intellectual demands, you might be able to cope for a brief time, but this is not sustainable in the long run.

Personal Experiences

I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to long shifts, often working 12 to 14 hours a day over 2 to 4 weeks at a time, alternating between day and night shifts. By the third week, I was on the brink of a complete breakdown, and the fatigue would linger even after the schedule ceased.

Mistakes became more frequent towards the end of long rotations, with an alarming increase in the number of corrections required for reports. This is compounded by irregular work and rest patterns, such as working 2 weeks, then taking 4 days off, followed by 3 weeks of continuous work. This erratic schedule is particularly detrimental, as it leaves you persistently exhausted and mentally drained.

Mental and Physical Health Under Siege

Working 95 hours with an additional 10 hours for commuting, as my previous job demanded, was a temporary sacrifice. I managed it for a few weeks, but it was a wake-up call. After a successful announcement of closure, I took three weeks off and have since consciously sought jobs with a standard 35-hour workweek. The long-term impacts on mental and physical health are often stark, despite no direct repercussions from management.

One wonders how such grueling hours can be endured without significant repercussions. The physical and emotional toll is immense, and it is not advisable to try such a regimen.

Multi-Job Simultaneously

It is theoretically possible to maintain such a schedule by working three jobs in a single day, but it carries a high cost. I have achieved this during short periods, yet the result was devastating. I found myself so exhausted that I had to slap myself awake during morning commutes. This is not an exaggerated account; it is a factual reflection of the reality faced by those who attempt such intense work schedules.

Preventing Burnout and Prioritizing Well-being

In conclusion, it is possible to work 120 hours a week, but it is not sustainable for the long term. Sleep and 'off time' are essential for recovery and maintaining good health. I strongly advise against such schedules and recommend finding a healthier work-life balance that supports personal well-being.