Scientists have proven the benefits of full-time work for mental health

Working outside the home as usual during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic helped to preserve the mental health of older people. According to the results of the study, stable employment and full-time presence in the workplace became a barrier to the development of depression. This was reported by Medical Xpress magazine on April 23.

Experts analyzed survey data from about 16,000 Canadians over the age of 50 as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA). Participants provided data before the start of the pandemic and twice in its early stages. It turned out that maintaining the usual work schedule brought psychological benefits, while the loss of employment significantly increased the risks of mental disorders.

According to the study's lead author, Briana Frandione from the University of Ottawa, working outside the home provides structure, purpose, and opportunities for communication. The loss of these elements during lockdowns, according to the expert, had a noticeable negative impact on the mental health of many elderly people.

"These results highlight how economic instability can exacerbate mental health problems, especially among people already facing social or financial vulnerability. The effects of the pandemic on mental health were far from uniform," said Dr. Ying Jiang, senior epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

The researchers found that women had a more serious deterioration in mental health than men. According to Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute of Life Cycle and Aging at the University of Toronto, women often took on additional responsibilities for caring for loved ones and household chores amid career changes, which led to disproportionate stress.

At the same time, employees who continued to attend their workplaces or were classified as irreplaceable specialists were less likely to suffer from depression compared to those who switched to a remote format. According to scientists, maintaining a "sense of normalcy" through routine or communication with colleagues could help increase resilience during a period of large-scale upheaval.

Scientists have concluded that remote work in itself is not harmful, but its effect depends on the level of organizational support and the availability of social connections. For those who work from home, maintaining a structured daily routine can help maintain psychological comfort.

Less pain: heart patients ask for 45 billion for medicines

This amount will help save the lives of more than 1.2 million people, experts believe.

On December 10, 2025, Medical Xpress reported on the effects of night work on the cardiovascular system. According to the publication, sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disruptions can contribute to a weakening of the heart and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.