Many people would tell you that working 6 days a week is the best way to live. And plenty of people would say that working 6 days a week is the worst way to live.
But is it worth it? Is it worth giving up all those weekends and holidays? And is it worth sacrificing your social life?
The truth is, working six days a week has its benefits and its drawbacks, just like everything else in life.
In this article, you’ll discover the pros and cons of working 6 days a week. Hence, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not this is the type of lifestyle for you.
Why Do Some People Work 6 Days a Week?
It’s not unusual for someone to work six days a week, and it’s pretty common. There are lots of reasons for doing this, and here are a few:
1. Some people work six days a week because they love their jobs and want to be there as much as possible.
2. Some people work six days a week because they need the money and think it’s the best way to get the most out of their time.
3. Some people work six days a week because their bosses mandate them to do that.
4. Some people work six days a week because that’s how the industry is going now, and it’s the only way they can survive.
Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that working 6 days a week is unusual in most workplaces in America. But some people do it, and others do it as well.
Accordion to Sleep Junkie, 22% of American employees work about 50 – 59 hours. In addition, 9% of employees work more than 60 hours.
Pros of Working 6 Days a Week
1. Works in a slow economy
Six days a week can be advantageous in a slow economy because it allows businesses to keep more employees on the payroll.
Many people are out of work and gladly take any job, even if it’s only for part-time hours or no pay.
Working 6 days a week will help the economy because it makes everyone more productive. Workers are more engaged when they have the opportunity to develop personal relationships with their co-workers.
When people feel like they’re part of something bigger, it inspires them to be even more significant in their contributions and pursuits.
2. Higher earning potential
There are a few benefits to working 6 days a week, and you can earn more money overall.
You’ll have more hours to work, and your salary will be based on the number of hours worked, not the number of weekends you enjoy free from work.
If you can put in extra time during the week, it can improve your chances for advancement.
3. Assist in smoother function for some industries
Every time we work on something, it makes the process smoother for us and those around us.
This is especially true in industries with many ups and downs or repetitive tasks that need to be completed quickly and efficiently.
Some industries that may benefit from a smoother function if working 6 days a week are:
- The medical industry, as it can help reduce the amount of time needed for surgeries.
- The financial industry, as it could lessen waiting periods and provide people with better services more quickly.
- Restaurants, especially those with high traffic levels, as they would not have to close during lunchtime or evening rush hours.
4. Achieve your goals quickly and get more things done
Working six days a week can push you to achieve your goals more quickly than working only five days.
Not only will you be able to get more done in total, but each task that you take on will feel less daunting due to the added momentum.
Plus, when it comes time for celebrations or vacations – taking care of things earlier means there is always room for improvement!
Cons of working 6 days a week
1. Negative impacts on health
Several negative impacts can be experienced due to working 6 days a week. For one, it can lead to health problems such as migraine and high blood pressure.
Your immune system may become weaker due to less rest and exposure to germs. You could get sick more quickly, requiring you to spend additional time at the doctor’s office or in the hospital bedsides nursing illness.
2. Less work-life balance
If you’re working six days a week, you will have less time for your personal life. It can lead to less work-life balance due to employers’ and employees’ higher demands on time.
Additionally, workers spend more time away from home and with family members than those who have regular weekday hours. Hence, you may not get as much out of your relationships with friends and family.
3. Fatigue hampers productivity
Workers who work more than six days a week may experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating, leading to decreased productivity.
On top of that, any extra time spent trying to recover from work is counterproductive, as it will only further tire your body and mind.
How to Cope with Working 6 Days a Week
1. Remember to take breaks
Working hard all day long makes it easy to forget to take a break. But 95% of the time, taking an occasional break is the best way to stay healthy and productive.
Taking breaks is also essential for your mental health since it allows you to relax and unwind after a long day at work.
You’ll feel refreshed, energized, and focused when you get back into the swing of things after taking a break.
2. Keep up with your exercise routine
If you’re working six days a week, you must keep up with your exercise routine. You may think it’s challenging to fit a workout in at the end of the day, but there are ways to make it work.
For example, if you have a gym membership, use it at least twice a week to get your workout in. Another option is to join a fitness class or find another way to exercise some mornings.
If you need more flexibility, consider working out during lunch break or taking a walk around the block during your lunch hour. Even small changes can make a big difference.
3. Make time for fun
If it’s important to feel like you’re living your life, then make sure that happens by scheduling time for relaxation. Don’t feel guilty about taking time away from work.
Instead, try to schedule it at the same time every week or month so that it becomes just another part of your routine.
The more you schedule relaxation, the less stressful it will be and the more likely it will become part of your daily life.
4. Don’t overdo it with junk food
When you’re working long hours and have little time for yourself, it’s easy to start eating poorly. You might find yourself grabbing quick meals at the office or having a pizza delivered in the middle of the night.
If you’re hungry, drink water or eat something light like fruit or yogurt instead of chips or cookies. Taking care of your body is important because it is your only one.
5. Get enough sleep
You need to get enough sleep if you’re working six days a week. Your performance will suffer if you don’t feel well-rested and energetic.
This is true on both an emotional and physical level, and you’ll be less productive, less focused, and more likely to make mistakes.
This is why people who work long hours must get enough sleep – especially when balancing their personal lives with their professional ones.
FAQs
How many hours a week is a healthy work?
Working less than 40 hours per week is a healthy lifestyle. This opinion can be traced back to medical professionals and academics researching the subject extensively.
How can you know when your work-life balance is out of place?
The easiest way to know when your work-life balance is out of place is to look at how you spend your time.
Are you working more hours than you are sleeping? Are you neglecting your health and well-being to stay on a deadline?
If your answer is yes to any of the questions, it might be time to tweak things to get back on track.
Final verdict: Working 6 Days a Week
Is it really worth it to work 6 days a week? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
While working fewer hours may seem like the ideal solution at first glance, in the long run, it has negative consequences.
By working more than 50 hours per week, you are not getting the same amount of rest and recovery that you need to be productive.
You also miss out on important opportunities for learning and growth. In addition, because you’re not taking time off to relax and de-stress properly, your overall health suffers.
Undoubtedly, work can be daunting, let alone working 6 days a week. Sometimes you may feel like you have no strength to carry on or just want to give up. You need to learn more about resilience training if you can relate to this.
Thanks for reading.
