Being busy is really, really bad for your health

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07 Jul 05:55am

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Filed under: Heart Disease, Relationships, Society, Stress, Weekend Punch, Work

36 comments

Tim Kreider’s opinion piece for The New York Times made the top of my must-read list this week. Kreider, a writer who lives an idyllic existence in small town America, where checking his emails means a drive into the town library, says the rest of us all too busy for our own good.

You really think I've got time to read that letter? Photo: Herald Sun

Well, that part we know. Normal lives are chaotic, non-stop and full to the brim. Just try organising a social event with more than two other people sometime.

More interesting was Kreider’s sub-point, the bit where he said we only have ourselves to blame for being too busy. And that our seemingly endless list of social, work, health or family commitments are created by us on purpose, to make up for our largely intangible day jobs.

He wrote: “More and more people in this country no longer make or do anything tangible; if your job wasn’t performed by a cat or a boa constrictor in a Richard Scarry book I’m not sure I believe it’s necessary. I can’t help but wonder whether all this histrionic exhaustion isn’t a way of covering up the fact that most of what we do doesn’t matter.”

This is a terrific point. Compare today’s workforce with that of our ancestors, who spent most of their time out in the paddocks, tilling the land. According to the results of the 2011 census only 177, 000 Australians work in labor or operating heavy machinery. Bottom line: most of us are earning a living by sitting on our bums all day and spending most of our spare time living in suburbs or city areas.

Why we do this of course, is not a surprise. Progress, innovation, jobs, opportunity and education have driven most of us to the city areas we inhabit and the jobs we have chosen. The real problem here is what these patterns are doing to our experience of life and most importantly our health.

As Kreider points out our “busyness” is an attempt to fill a big gaping whole in our mental and spiritual health, but these “intangible” jobs are wreaking havoc on our bodies too.

Everything you need to know about why this is happening can be found in this fantastic piece written by Maria Masters for Men Health magazine. It’s a long read that includes references to several terrifying studies linking modern workplace lethargy with an appalling health crisis

Two stand out to me. The first, an experiment by Dutch researchers who created a historical theme park and recruited actors to live like Australian settlers in 1850; chopping wood and foraging for food and compared their energy expenditure with modern office workers. At the end of a normal day, Aussie settlers walked the equivalent of eight extra kilometres every day.

The second study, conducted in 2010 by Pennington Biomedical Centre in Louisiana, found our desk jobs are slowly but surely killing us; and worst of all, it doesn’t matter how much exercise you do or how lean you are. Why? Because sitting down all day increases a person’s insulin sensitivity, that’s the main trigger for diabetes. Plus, prolonged periods of sitting have also been found to significantly increase the gene that causes heart disease - both facts that explain why even though we’re living longer, we’re not living healthier.

Overwhelming isn’t it? Kind of makes me want to install a podium for my computer so I can stand up at work all day. That, or become a farmer. Yet it seems to me that all of this terrifying information about our health could actually offer a solution to all that emptiness that Kreider said is keeping us so busy.

What if we swapped all those activities we’re packing our lives with, that actually inhibit us from being available to the people we loved and just moved a lot more.
It’s easy to day dream when you’re out for a stroll. And getting up from your desk and walking around the room to break your concentration does wonders for your problem solving ability.

With all that time saved from racing around from one thing to another, we’d probably have more meaningful conversations, better memories and a top notch resting heart rate from all that incidental cardio. Heck, we’d also probably be so tired that we’d even sleep better.

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36 comments

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- Bertrand says:
  
  07:01am | 07/07/12
  
  I read the article too. It’s interesting because it reminded me that the fundamental economic problem only exists because we as a society have been unwilling to place a limit on our wants. The invention of technological solutions for labor should have meant the reduction of the work week to only a few hours; however, most of us are, as the author wrote, busier than ever.
  
  I have mentioned on here before that there is no reason why most families can’t downsize - live in a smaller house, seek fewer possessions and work a hell of a lot less, which is exactly what our household decided upon a few years back.
  
  I don’t know though, because people would probably look at my daily schedule and still say I’m a busy person. Although I don’t feel busy, I’m just not the type of person who can sit around doing nothing (well, except read, which takes up a few hours of each day).
  
  But I’m not sure if hobbies count as busy if they are what you enjoy. Working in my vege garden, going for a hike or a jog, etc are leisure interests. I’m not sure about the author’s premise that idleness itself is a virtue.
  
  Reply
Brave says:

10:11am | 07/07/12

Have you read Huxley’s ‘Brave New World?’ That society became automated enough to only need to work a few hours a day, yet the leaders decided to scale back the tech to create a population that worked more, and was therefore more compliant.
Bertrand says:

04:09pm | 07/07/12

@Brave -yep. It’s a good book.

Of course, the compliant population also got administered drugs and fed a steady diet of low-brow and raunch culture to make sure no-one started thinking for themselves.

I’m sure that would never happen in our society.
- perplexed says:
  
  07:46am | 07/07/12
  
  that’s all well and good, but at the end of the day we all need to make a living to live in this society. What is the alternative? There have been many many articles written about this kind of thing but no one so far has come up with a solution.
  
  Reply
TracyH says:

08:42am | 07/07/12

One solution is to move out of the city. Let’s say you are a bus driver who lives in the outer suburbs of Sydney. It takes you an hour and a half to get to work, you have a huge mortgage on an average home because your house costs 500k. Now, if you moved to, say, Dubbo, you would get the same wages as in Sydney, and could buy a little property in one of the smaller towns near Dubbo for 200k. You’d have a stressfree drive to work. You’d have more disposable income so you wouldn’t have to be doing so much overtime.

Or if you are a teacher in the same situation, or many other types of jobs. Why would you want to live in a city that’s crippling you financially and robbing you of valuable time in communting? people say “but my family live there and I don’t want to move!”. OK, so get together with the family and discuss the possibility of all moving out of the city.

I understand there are many jobs that can only be performed in the city…but there are hundreds more than can be found in regional areas.

Get out of the city!!
Macca says:

08:55am | 07/07/12

I have a cousin who has chosen a different path. Smart guy, did well at school got into Uni. Then packed it all in to do physical jobs; grape picker in a French winery, ski instructor in Japan etc. He’s only been back to Australia once in the past 15 years from memory.

One job he had was to simply walk some Donkeys to their new home. The trip crossed several countries and took many months.

I remember speaking to him about 5 years ago. He was doing quite well. He was loving in the workers quarters of the strawberry farm somewhere in the EU. He had saved up enough money to afford himself a goat and a couple of chickens, meaning he could generate a bit more income and be a little more self-sufficient.

He’s married now. I think she has EU residency but it’s difficult to really know. They don’t have a family to support, but he’s managed a unique situation for the better part of 2 decades.
Rose says:

10:31am | 07/07/12

I suggest giving part of your week to helping others, cooking meals from scratch, maybe some gardening and blocking out chunks of time in your diary to go for long walks, read books, relax and basically do whatever it is that you enjoy. Cut out some of the kid’s organized activities and spend time doing stuff together, enjoying each other’s company.
I don’t know the exact answer but I’d say slow the hell down and smell the roses would be a good idea!!
David h says:

07:05pm | 08/07/12

Exactly Tracy h
I live in Dubbo and as a teacher I earn the same I would in Sydney. But it takes three minutes to work, no stopping or traffic lights! My beautiful 30 sq house on 1000sqm is 380k brand new. Every sporting facility and shop you need and clean air and as safe as any of the 40+ houses I’ve lived in across three states of Australia. Good schools and a fantastic lifestyle. We just need a beach but if we did everyone would move here!
- Bob says:
  
  08:07am | 07/07/12
  
  Stand up workstations FTW!
  
  Reply
- TChong says:
  
  08:33am | 07/07/12
  
  Only 11500, engaged in operating heavy machinery and labour ?In all of australia ?
  Less than 2000 per state? I would have thought that the Pilbara or Upper Hunter would have accounted for those numbers, alone.
  Maybe the mines arent the huge employers as many believe.
  Seems an incredibly low figure.
  ( not doubting you Lucy, just surprised about the stat)
  
  Reply
Warren says:

02:04pm | 07/07/12

TChong if they did an ISP check you would be in trouble, I’m not ATM or Samantha but I want you banned for your previous extremist views.
Mickey T says:

03:11pm | 07/07/12

@ Warren - “I want you banned for your previous extremist views”

I would suggest that The Punch is not the place for you, especially if you have a problem with extremist views.

Are you some kind of Fascist, why have you got such an issue with freedom of speech??
Bertrand says:

04:03pm | 07/07/12

@Warren - I agree. All people with different opinions to me should be banned from this opinions site.
Sam says:

11:10am | 09/07/12

” want you banned for your previous extremist views”

Too bad for you that you have no ability to enforce your desires. Now TChong can have a little smile every time he posts on Punch, knowing everytime he does, it will bug you.
- Craig says:
  
  08:45am | 07/07/12
  
  We live longer and healthier lives today than we did when humans were less ‘busy’ (by the definition of the author).
  
  So what rot is this that busyness is bad for us?
  
  Reply
AdamC says:

11:46am | 08/07/12

Too true, Craig. People were less busy when we lived in caves or trees. Trouble is, life sucked and we died young.
- TChong says:
  
  09:11am | 07/07/12
  
  Bad news about the diabetes , and sitting in front of ‘puters all day.
  But every cloud has that silver lining
  Many a committed Puncher ( the all dayers ) will live in luxury when they retire, as they will have a relatively short time to spend their savings before their ticket to Rookwood.
  ( apologies to the provincials for the sidnee reference)
  
  Reply
marley says:

04:39pm | 07/07/12

Just so you know, Chongy, I have every intention of outliving my parents - which gives me another 35 years to annoy people.
- Susan says:
  
  11:21am | 07/07/12
  
  Lucy, was the 2010 research actually conducted by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center as you suggest or are you referring to the “2010 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology” being discussed by Hamilton from the PBRC. Nothing said he did the research nor the PBRC, he’s simply referring to research.
  
  Reply
- Muggles says:
  
  11:26am | 07/07/12
  
  “only 11, 537 Australians work in labor or operating heavy machinery.”
  
  That is not true. It’s out by orders of magnitudes.
  
  There are more construction labourers, factory (“process”) workers, forklift drivers, shelf-packers, delivery people, restaurant hands and industrial cleaners than that in a single small city.
  
  There’s that many people labouring or operating heavy machinery on large mining sites alone.
  
  Yes, there are a lot of office workers, many of whom do intangible work. But look around you: there’s a hell of a lot of people out there who clean the bins, maintain the roads, cart away the rubbish, dig holes, build houses and offices, pack and unpack the goodies you need for an office life, etc.
  
  Anyway, statistical quibbles, I agree with busy = stress angle. Life’s too short.
  
  Reply
- leningen says:
  
  12:41pm | 07/07/12
  
  It’s like this: Things are terrible OMG. We now live longer on average. So we spend that exra time wondering about whether or not it was worth swapping random (and often violent) early death through no fault of our own for a later death at our own hand due to self abuse of some sort or other. Kind of Conan vs Onan.
  The fact remains that wealth is the primary indicator of longevity and if we are consumed by fears about our mortality it follows we should be working hard to be rich, even if it is at an imaginary task. If we are concerned about fulfillment and happiness, then we should be working hard at what fulfills us, even if that does not mean acting directly on the world. If we are concerned about the afterlife, then really, we should just get on with getting there and get out of everyone’s way.
  And if we don’t care to look too closely at all that stuff, then that is probably best, because we can spend the time having a snooze or organising a sock drawer.
  
  Reply
- Anjuli says:
  
  02:48pm | 07/07/12
  
  @ Rose I have been telling my daughter to do just take time smell the roses ,she is a workaholic 12 hours sometimes more on most days ,runs half marathons .Told her she will burn herself out just like her dad did, must be genetic.
  
  Reply
- roger, over and out ! says:
  
  04:32pm | 07/07/12
  
  Your comment:Life is but sleep! Health is better than wealth !
  
  Reply
- sara says:
  
  04:42pm | 07/07/12
  
  I’m in my early forties and I say no to sacrificing my health for work or for fulfillment (scientific, artistic, sporting, motherhood, avoiding aging, religious or pseudo-religious whatever). In fact I’m tired of being told what is good for me and what will make me happy when it is just to fit someone else’s agenda. The get active mantra is an interesting one - more diabetes BUT less people with torn tendons and worn out joints. If you stand up all day you’re simply swapping diabetes for varicose veins and knee joint stress.
  What is best is having a snooze or organising a sock drawer. Don’t let crap hijack your life. Most old people say they wish they had worked less and spent more time smelling the roses. I don’t advocate giving up a salary and a comfortable life…but I don’t advocate spending your spare time saving the world. Sure…donate your time and ladle out soup and do nice things….but be gentle with yourself. Remember the hare and the tortoise…the winner is the tortoise,,,the person who doesn’t collapse halfway during the race of life.
  Cheers.
  
  Reply
- Mick says:
  
  04:45pm | 07/07/12
  
  Personally, I always feel best about life when I’m working hard. Dunno what to do with myself otherwise. Apart from reading the punch of course.
  
  Reply
- Tango says:
  
  05:01pm | 07/07/12
  
  The mining industry employs about 135,000 people, the manufacturing sector about 1 million, the farming / agricultural sector about 370,000, the construction sector about 1 million. A total of around 2.5 million people. Most of these people are not managers or other people sitting on their bums most of the day. Therefore, how and from where did you get your number of 11,537 which would represent 0.1% of the total workforce and suggests that 99.9% of the workforce doesn’t do any manual work.
  
  Reply
- DFB says:
  
  05:01pm | 07/07/12
  
  Most people live very empty and ordinary lives today. Those that hunt, fish, dive , surf etc tend to have very much fuller and more meaningful lives. And the people with the emptiest lives of all would dearly love to put a stop to it!
  
  Reply
marley says:

09:22am | 08/07/12

I know a few surfers. They have lots of fun, but I’d be very hard pressed to call their lives “meaningful.”
andrew says:

11:39am | 09/07/12

The problem with those hobbies that you mention DFB is that they can lead one to become obsessed with them to the point of avoiding any sort of commitment lest the weather gods align and you are required to go for a surf, fishing whatever at a minute’s notice. I found myself unable to live a balanced life and eventually had to give them all up and replace them with a relationship instead.
- Sarah says:
  
  09:20am | 08/07/12
  
  Lucy, I would suggest editing, then reposting.
  
  1. As other have noted, the “11,537” figure is clearly miles off. I also think there’s a huge gulf between operating heavy machinery and sitting in an office, which is filled with people who are on their feet all day in one way or another - nurses, cleaners etc.
  2. “Fantatsic”.
  3. Genes cannot be “increased”. The *expression* of certain genes can be switched on or off in response to environmental conditions, but we’d need more info for this statement to make any sense.
  
  But pedantry aside, great piece. Here’s hoping that running around after my toddlers and gardening can atone for the 3 days a week I spend sitting on my bum at work.
  
  Reply
Susan says:

12:09pm | 08/07/12

I couldn’t find the data at a simple look (ABS always help if you call them) but I did find this “The most common occupations in August 2011 were Professionals (22%); Clerical and administrative workers (15%); and Technicians and trades workers (14%).” So, the figure seems off from this direction also. Blue collar workers have drastically dropped in ratio against white collar in 2011.

Btw, this was the population reported by the ABS is 2011 - 18 402.6 and this was the labour force number - 12 060.1
In MILLIONS. So, 14% of that is roughly the figure.
Susan says:

12:34pm | 08/07/12

Pedantic has such negative connotations unfortunately. Being meticulous about data is important - if you’re going to use data to argue a point that is.
Lucy Kippist says:

05:53pm | 09/07/12

Hi Sarah/Susan,
Thanks for your feedback and yep, i’ve clearly made an error there with the stat. Am rectifying now and will update my post.
- Susan says:
  
  12:32pm | 08/07/12
  
  I did find the basic data on the ABS. Here: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6104.02012?OpenDocument Page 6.
  
  Machine Operators basically 762,000 and Labourers, one million, one hundred and seventy seven thousand. (2011 data).
  
  I wouldn’t put the two groups together in this sort of article because the physical demands are generally completely different.
  
  Reply
- Audra Blue says:
  
  09:53pm | 08/07/12
  
  I have already started living a more simple life. Working it govt makes it easier to work only my normal hours and not insane 12 hour days like in some private enterprise jobs.
  
  I make sure I take time out for me. I have my hobbies that I indulge in every day. I have only a few close friends I keep up with and I’m not on any social networking site. I read one book a week. I don’t watch telly, other than ABC24 news but I do love my DVDs. On the weekend, I try to go for a long walk in nature, often in the botanical gardens.
  
  I always take my full lunch hour at work and try to go for a bit of a walk before I sit down to eat away from my desk where nobody can stop for a chat. I told my team at work that if I’m eating and reading, nobody is to disturb me even if I’m at my desk. But of course everyone broke that rule and I found myself doing work while eating my lunch which annoyed me. So now I leave my office completely. And I always make my evening meal from scratch and sit down at the table to eat it.
  
  Since I instituted these changes, I’ve been better able to deal with any stress at work. I listen to the others at work and how much they cram into their weekends and I get tired just listening to them. And they wonder why they’re stressed and fat.
  
  Reply
- DealwithitJoe says:
  
  08:19am | 09/07/12
  
  Its really simple, and Kriedler’s an idiot. Today’s world is really complex. It takes lots of people doing lots of little intangible things to make it work. Deal with it
  
  Reply

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Bertrand says:

Brave says:

Bertrand says:

perplexed says:

TracyH says:

Macca says:

Rose says:

David h says:

Bob says:

TChong says:

Warren says:

Mickey T says:

Bertrand says:

Sam says:

Craig says:

AdamC says:

TChong says:

marley says:

Susan says:

Muggles says:

leningen says:

Anjuli says:

roger, over and out ! says:

sara says:

Mick says:

Tango says:

DFB says:

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andrew says:

Sarah says:

Susan says:

Susan says:

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Susan says:

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