“Paradoxically, the best way to get more done may be to spend more time doing less,” reports the New York Times. “A new and growing body of multidisciplinary research shows that strategic renewal – including daytime workouts, short afternoon naps, longer sleep hours, more time away from the office and longer, more frequent vacations – boosts productivity, job performance and, of course, health.” Roughly one in three people eat lunch at their desks and over half of all people who work admit that they expect to work while on holiday. Long hours might seem like a good way to climb the corporate ladder but it also leads to burnout.

Spending more time working means having less time to sleep. Researchers have found that getting less than six hours of sleep each night is one of the best predictors of burnout. Working too much is also associated with low morale, depression, relationship breakdown, and disengagement at work. Over time, productivity suffers. 

Instead of working harder, work smarter. Take time off. Ernst & Young found that yearly employee performance improves by eight per cent for each ten hours of holiday time they have. Frequent holiday-takers are also less likely to leave their jobs. 

Working life can be challenging in perimenopause and menopause, too, but the opportunity to WFH can help. “Working from home can be a positive for women,” says consultant  endocrinologist  Dr Mary Ryan, “if women take advantage of reduced travel time and use it to focus on activities that help their symptoms. Too often I see women working even longer hours than when in the office and being ‘always on’, which increases stress and symptoms of menopause. Ensuring you have a dedicated workspace, taking breaks, making time for a nutritious lunch and fitting in some exercise, all help. When you reduce stress, hormones are more balanced and you will be more productive during work time.

“Whether you work from home or in the office, or a combination of both, if you are experiencing difficult menopause symptoms, speak to your manager or HR manager to explain your difficulties. Give your company time to consider how they can help.  Opening the dialogue is the first positive step.”

October 18 is World Menopause Day. Dr Mary Ryan will be speaking at Let’s Talk Hormone Health in Limerick on October 27. Tickets on Eventbrite.