Economic downturn resulted in work-related health issues: Maclean’s report
Posted May 6, 2010 11:34 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – What has the recession done to your health?
A special report in Maclean’s magazine, called “How Healthy Are You?,” found the economic downturn has taken a toll on people’s health.
Those who have kept their jobs are considered both lucky and unlucky — they’ve avoided getting a pink slip, but at the same time, inherited the responsibilities and stress previously spread out among several of their colleagues.
Dr. Elaine Chin, contributing physician to the Maclean’s report and chief medical officer of a private Toronto clinic called Scienta Health, told 680News she’s seeing a lot of patients suffering from something called ‘”layoff survivor syndrome.”
The syndrome is the result of the economic downturn and people working themselves sick because of the extra responsibilities loaded onto their plates. It means longer hours at the office and less downtime.
“Their routines have been taken offline because they’ve been having to stay at work longer, and maybe sometimes come home and work. A lot of the usual activities, such going to the gym, doing some activities with their family, were shortened or stopped completely,” Dr. Chin said.
She also said that while many people may have a larger workload, they must try to stay healthy.
“Sleep […], being able to do some activity or exercise, stepping out, doing a walk, and making very certain that you don’t skip meals and you do eat as well as you can in a very balanced way,” she said.
The magazine also features a “Q-Gap Test,” which can help people identify their symptoms and determine exactly what they mean.
