What if working fewer hours could actually boost your performance? A rigorous study published in the Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series supports this idea.
Conducted by experts from Keio University in Japan and the University of Melbourne, the research analyzed productivity data from 6,500 workers, including both men and women.
It specifically examined how work hours impact cognitive abilities.
The findings are striking—read on to learn more.
Researchers determined that 25 to 30 hours per week is the sweet spot for optimal performance, particularly for those over 40.
After age 40, the brain struggles with a full 40-hour week, leading to diminished returns.
This may sound counterintuitive, but evidence shows work stimulates cognition—up to about 25 hours weekly.
Rest assured, this peer-reviewed study is robust, with lead researchers emphasizing that excessive hours undermine productivity.
Imagine pitching a 25-hour week to your employer, backed by promises of higher output and motivated teams.
Of course, these benefits apply specifically to those over 40, where limiting to three days weekly yields the best results.
Cognitive assessments in logic, reasoning, memory, and perception confirm this for workers over 40.
Performance peaks at 25-30 hours, then plummets due to fatigue and stress.
For most over 40, exceeding this threshold shifts focus from output to exhaustion, reducing brain efficiency—we're no longer at 100%.
Notably, those working 55 hours perform at levels comparable to retirees or the unemployed.
"Work can be a double-edged sword: it boosts brain activity, but long hours cause fatigue and stress that damage cognitive functions," explains Prof. McKenzie, who led the study.
This raises a key question: Should we rethink work structures instead of extending hours and delaying retirement?
Working smarter, not longer, could enhance productivity overall.
For mid- and late-career professionals, this is compelling. Their extensive experience is invaluable, and tailored hours would unlock peak performance.
