Why A 4-Day Workweek Might Be Better For Your Physical And Mental Health?


Methodology

A shortened workweek is the new trend for companies to boost their employee’s performance level. Several multinational companies have been transitioning from an entire workweek to a 4-day workweek to help employees balance their work life.

Although, the traditional work week is considered for decades in multiple companies. 

Benefits Of A 4-Day Workweek

Recently, several companies have been exploring the possibilities of a 4-day workweek. Several studies have been conducted by these same companies before implementing the idea of a shortened workweek.

Benefits Of A 4-Day Workweek

These studies reveal that shortening the workweek has led to improvement in the mental health of the employees as well as their productivity.

Companies generated more productive outcomes from a 4-day workweek than the traditional workweek.

This measure has enabled the company to provide workers with greater flexibility, allowing them to find more work-life balance.

As we explored we found out that there are several factors that improve the work life as well as the physical and mental of the employees.

Below you will find out why a 4-day work week is better for the health of an employee as well as numerous factors that help to improve productivity.

  • Reduced Stress Levels

As we are all aware that the longer we stare at the screen the higher our eyes and brain strains. Frying up our eyes and brain leads to an increase in the cortisol levels in our body which is also known as the stress hormone.

Studies reveal that a five-day workweek for employees has more increase in stress hormones as they are not likely to get enough sleep and rest to recharge.

Therefore, a four-day workweek is considered to be healthier considering fewer hours and more productivity in the workspace.

  • Improved Mental Health

Since a four-day workweek requires lesser hours and has a positive impact on mental health considering less screen time for more hours than a traditional workweek.

In a four-day workweek, the employees obtain more days to relax their mind out of work and focus on their families or their lifestyle which brings more mental calmness.

4-Day Workweek For Better Physical And Mental Health
  • Increasing Productivity

When the employees are more recharged and enthusiastic they tend to be more productive than working for more period of time.

When employees work creatively without draining their energy, the productivity of the employees has skyrocketed.

Employee satisfaction is one of the reasons for the boost in productivity as they spend quality time with their friends and family which increases the happy hormones in the body. 

  • Enhanced Physical Health

The longer duration of sitting in a chair eventually leads to fatigue as well as back and neck pains. The inactive body movement can lead to the accumulation of fat deposition in the body which could eventually lead to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and other health problems.

A four-day workweek enables individuals to engage in physical activities and get more active in terms of physical health.

  • Attracts Talents

In this modern world, many employees consider working the quantity and quality of traditional workweek in a shorter workweek.

The younger generation is presumed to be productive as well as seeking flexible workweeks in companies. Therefore, offering flexible workweeks can attract high-potential employees.

  • Environment Friendly

Ever since the advancement of technologies as well as the implementation of technologies in organizations has led to the consumption of more energy which eventually emits more greenhouse gases that affect the environment.

A shorter workweek could reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Conclusion

It is evident to believe that a four-day workweek has numerous health benefits including mental and physical health benefits. The shorter workweek also promotes environmentally friendly solutions.

A four-day workweek encourages our body to reduce stress hormones by relaxing our mind and resting to recharge our energy and brain for better input in work.

A shorter workweek is considered to be more flexible for the employees as well as more productive in delivering projects.

In addition, it has significant environmental benefits such as limiting the emission of carbons and reducing harming the environment.

Implementing a shorter workweek is deemed to be more beneficial for the employee, company as well as the environment.

Although it may require some adjustments according to the number of employees as well as the schedule of the workspace.

Dr. Germana Barata is a research associate of the ScholCommLab and a dedicated science communication researcher at the Laboratory of Advanced Studies in Journalism (Labjor) and the Centre for the Development of Creativity (Nudecri) at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil. With a Master’s and PhD in History of Science from São Paulo University, Dr. Barata is a respected scholar who has been awarded a productivity research fellowship in science communication at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in Brazil.

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