Narayana Murthy’s 9-9-6 Push Sparks Medical Alarm: 72-Hour Weeks Harm the Heart and Mind

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has once again advocated for a 72-hour work week, citing China’s 9-9-6 work culture as an example. This rule refers to working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, totalling

72 hours. Murthy says he believes India should adopt a similar work ethic to boost economic growth. Murthy had first made headlines for his views on work hours in 2023, suggesting that Indians work 70 hours a week. His comments, even then, sparked a debate on social media, with many arguing that such long hours are unsustainable and detrimental to health. Doctors have warned against it, citing well-documented health hazards, including increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and mental health crises. Medical professionals have advised against such extreme schedules as they disrupt critical lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and exercise. Studies say working more than 55 hours a week can lead to negative effects on your health. Sacrificing your health and personal responsibilities for overworking only makes you give up more than just your time and energy. These relationships become strained, and your mental health falters, making your body become overwhelmed with stress.

What does it mean to be overworked?

According to experts, being overworked means you have been slogging beyond your limits – working too hard, too long, and too often. As a result, you experience physical and mental harm that can lead to burnout and exhaustion. While overworking is subjective, you may sacrifice evenings and weekends to complete your job. For others, like part-time workers, shift workers, and people working multiple jobs, overworking could mean you’re taking on too much responsibility, and it’s taking a toll on your overall health. You can also be overworked at school or home if your mental and physical investment in these areas is beyond what’s healthy for you.

Signs of being overworked

• Increased stress and anxiety
• Lack of motivation or interest in the activities you enjoy at work and at home
• Burnout
• Low productivity
• Strained professional and personal relationships
• Trouble bonding
• Issues leaving work and work-based stress behind
• Experiencing sleeplessness or insomnia
• Constant fatigue

How does overworking or long working hours disrupt health?

When you work extremely long hours, your mind and body get pushed past their limits. Working too hard for too long negatively impacts your physical and mental health, which results in:

• Frequent infections and illness
• Weakened immune system
• Mental health issues, like depression
• Cognitive impairments
• High blood pressure or palpitations
• Sleep disorders
• Changes in weight, appetite, and eating habits
• Injuries and accidents
• Alcohol and substance abuse

When should you seek help?

According to experts, if things are going south with you, you need to take charge of your life and health. Try to establish healthy boundaries by making room for self-care to get over the toxic work environment you are in. In these cases, it can help to work with a therapist or a behavioural health expert who can guide you on how to manage these conflicts. In therapy, you can learn how to find healthy solutions when your workload becomes overwhelming. You might even find workarounds for some of the most menial tasks.