A boring job CAN make you brain dead as it ‘affects memory and concentration’
- People who were not stimulated at work showed decline in brain function
- Researchers say this is because brain is a muscle which needs using
- Exposure to dirty workplace also negatively affected the brain
Kate Pickles For Mailonline
5
View
comments
We’ve all had a boring job where every minute drags as we count down the hours until it’s finally home time.
If this isn’t reason enough to make us reach for the job pages, a study has found a lack of stimulation can have a long term effect on the brain.
Researchers at Florida State University found both having a dull job and a dirty working environment can have a long-term cognitive effect on employees.
Not being stimulated at work can lead to a decline in brain function later in life, affecting people’s abilities to complete tasks, manage time and pay attention
In the past, researchers have been divided on whether it was working in an unclean workplace – facing exposure to agents such as mold, lead or loud noises – or working in an unstimulating environment that took the biggest toll on brain health as people aged.
Lead researcher Dr Joseph Grzywacz said the new study was significant because it showed both can play an important role in long-term cognitive well-being.
He and his team used cognitive function data from almost 5,000 working adults participating in the ‘Midlife in the United States’ study.
-
Heart problems in middle age linked to teenage obesity: Risk…
‘No evidence’ brain-boosting tablets can cut dementia risk:…
An instant heart scan? Use a smartphone: Surgeries to get…
How men are unable to cope with the agony of arthritis:…
Scientists examined individuals’ workplaces and their ability to maintain and later use information they learned.
They also looked at their ability to complete tasks, manage time and pay attention.
They found greater occupational complexity – the learning of new skills and taking on new challenges – resulted in stronger cognitive performance in people, as they aged.
This was especially true with women.
Participants had also been asked about any memory issues they were experiencing.
‘The practical issue here is cognitive decline associated with ageing and the thought of, ”if you don’t use it, you lose it’,’ Dr Grzywacz said.
A dirty workplace was also linked to people who showed cognitive decline later in life, the study found
The second result was those who had jobs that exposed them to a dirty working environment saw a cognitive decline.
‘Psychologists say that the brain is a muscle [so if you don’t use it, you lose it], while industrial hygienists point to chemicals in the work environment that may cause decline,’ he said.
‘There are real things in the workplace that can shape cognitive function – some that you can see or touch, and others you can’t.
‘We showed both matter to cognitive health in adulthood.’
Dr Grzywacz added: ‘Both of these issues are important when we think about the long-term health of men and women.’
‘Designing jobs to ensure that all workers have some decision making ability may protect cognitive function later in life, but it’s also about cleaning up the workplace.’
The study was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Share or comment on this article
-
Video shows inside Pulse bathroom as killer stalked club
-
Antisocial dog ignores canine swimming pandemonium around…
-
WARNING: Man captured his own murder in graphic Facebook…
-
‘Alligator’ seen by Disney Orlando visitor days before…
-
Graphic bodycam video shows MMA fighter’s paralysis
-
Student mocks Donald Trump in epic presidential graduation…
-
Girl spontaneously dances to beautiful music from violinist
-
Woman runs down boyfriend ‘after he revealed he had HIV’
-
Epic fight to the death between tiger and leopard in reserve
-
Video shows arrest of alleged suspect in shooting of MP Jo…
-
Fox News TV presenter accidentally flashes UNDERWEAR
-
More cell phone video from inside Pulse bathroom as people…
-
Jo Cox’s devastated colleagues break down in tears as…
-
EXCLUSIVE: OJ Simpson WILL take a paternity test for Khloe…
-
Mom shares eerie photos of her son paddling on Disney beach…
-
Sore loser Steph? Curry throws tantrum in NBA Finals,…
-
PICTURED: Boy, two, who was found dead at the bottom of…
-
‘I love you babe’: Text messages Omar Mateen and his wife…
-
Best Buy worker gunman who shot dead Voice star Christina…
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘There was no monogamy in the Kennedy clan.’…
-
EXCLUSIVE – ‘Why shouldn’t we enjoy ourselves just because…
-
The two massive and mysterious Texas sinkholes on the verge…
-
‘Four years?’: American father-of-two stabs himself to death…
-
Devastating cell phone video shows club-goers hiding out in…
Comments (5)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now