topic Forty something? in Community Chat

Forty something?

itiswhatitis — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:34:55 GMT

A study conducted by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research had this to say on the subject:

Working full-time after the age of 40 is not good for the brain. Doing more than three days a week once you reach this age can damage your ability to think. A paper from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research says that, while working up to 30 hours a week is good for the brains of the over-40s, do any more than that and it goes downhill. If you were to work 60 hours a week, your cognitive ability would be worse than that of someone who didn’t work at all. Still, on the plus side, you would have more money than them.

The researchers used data from more than 3,000 men and 3,500 women who completed the national Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (Hilda) survey. The survey tested the ability to read words aloud, recite lists of numbers and match letters and numbers in a speed trial. Testing reading is a measure of the “knowing” part of ability, says lead author Prof Colin McKenzie, while the other two tests capture fluid intelligence – the “thinking” part of ability that includes memory, abstract reasoning and executive reasoning.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/08/should-people-over-40-work-a-three-day-week?CMP=fb_gu

Re: Forty something?

colliegirls — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:40:48 GMT

I feel the opposite. The longer you work, the sharper your mind is and the healthier you are.

Re: Forty something?

chrystaltree — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:42:49 GMT

Rubbish....lol And I don't even have to read the article to know that...lol Actually, I belive it's the opposite. I've read studies that say that but just living and using my (over 40) brain is enough to know that the longer we work, the healthier it is for or brains. It's like the muscles in our bodies, use it or lose.

Re: Forty something?

Bird mama — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:48:18 GMT

Well, whether or not it's good for me, the mortgage needs to be paid, lol.

Re: Forty something?

Caaareful Shopper — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:04:33 GMT

This research sounds very strange. I did not click on the link, but what work are they speaking about here? Are they lumping any & all professions into their study results? That study has a lot of explaining to do. On the face of it, I don't buy it at all.

Re: Forty something?

Noel7 — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:14:14 GMT

It specifically refers to no more than 30 hours a week as optimal, then they say we get duller if we work longer hours.

I'd be surprised if that was true.

Re: Forty something?

SilleeMee — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:30:29 GMT

Oh, maybe that's what's wrong with me. I used to work 60+ hours each week. No wonder.

Re: Forty something?

Preds — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:43:24 GMT

I work over fifty hours a week and thought it was my age that was messing with me! Woo Hoo ... it's the hours! LOL Need to tell my bosses that I need more time off! They are begging me to stay five or more years.

Don't agree with the study, but good ammo for when I do want to retire. ROTFL

Re: Forty something?

jaxs mom — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:53:42 GMT

Great, just more ammunition to discriminate in the work place.

Re: Forty something?

jaxs mom — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:55:57 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Rubbish....lol And I don't even have to read the article to know that...lol Actually, I belive it's the opposite. I've read studies that say that but just living and using my (over 40) brain is enough to know that the longer we work, the healthier it is for or brains. It's like the muscles in our bodies, use it or lose.

It's not like you aren't using your brain when you're not working. There are ways to challenge your brain outside of a paid position.

Re: Forty something?

Sooner — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:16:54 GMT

I just read the latest and greatest study that says exactly the opposite! It says that continuing to work after 60 makes you far smarter, brighter, mentally active and ready to meet the demands of life, while increasing your health by some 9 percent a year! Amazing isn't it?

By the way, I just did the study. The subject was ME! So you are the first to read the results of this fantastic scientific research!

Re: Forty something?

Preds — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:22:16 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I just read the latest and greatest study that says exactly the opposite! It says that continuing to work after 60 makes you far smarter, brighter, mentally active and ready to meet the demands of life, while increasing your health by some 9 percent a year! Amazing isn't it?

By the way, I just did the study. The subject was ME! So you are the first to read the results of this fantastic scientific research!

I'm doomed! Guess I'll just give up now and keep working ... much to the delight of other parties involved. Oh how nice a wish it was.

Re: Forty something?

chrystaltree — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:23:32 GMT

@jaxs mom wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Rubbish....lol And I don't even have to read the article to know that...lol Actually, I belive it's the opposite. I've read studies that say that but just living and using my (over 40) brain is enough to know that the longer we work, the healthier it is for or brains. It's like the muscles in our bodies, use it or lose.
It's not like you aren't using your brain when you're not working. There are ways to challenge your brain outside of a paid position.

That's very true but the discussion was about working after 40.

Re: Forty something?

sunshine45 — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:36:16 GMT

my father was working full time at the age of 73 right up until the day he died.....generally 6 days a week, 10 hours a day.

my ex is turning 65, owns a business, and he works 6 days a week, and works 9-10 hours a day.

my s/o is turning 61, owns a business, and he works 6 days a week, and works about 8 hours a day....and puts himself on call on sundays.

this is the work ethic that i have been around all my life.

Re: Forty something?

lulu2 — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:51:34 GMT

How many 40-somethings can afford to work part-time?

Many have families, (children in or about to enter college) and mortgages.

It does not seem feasible to have a society of 40-somethings working such a limited amount of time.

Re: Forty something?

itiswhatitis — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 22:16:12 GMT

@lulu2 wrote:
How many 40-somethings can afford to work part-time?

Many have families, (children in or about to enter college) and mortgages.

It does not seem feasible to have a society of 40-somethings working such a limited amount of time.

They aren't discussing feasibility. The study discusses what it believes are detrimental to your health (like not having enough money isn't). LOL.

Re: Forty something?

itiswhatitis — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 22:19:58 GMT

I'm rooting for a three day work week with the same pay for everyone, I want you to know.