Shiva

 

The Impact of Working 90 Hours a Week

The Impact of Working 90 Hours a Week

Working 90 hours a week has become a topic of discussion in industries known for demanding schedules, such as tech, medicine, and finance. While some view long hours as a badge of honor, extensive research highlights the harmful consequences of such work patterns. This analysis explores the physical, mental, and sociological impacts of excessive working hours and the broader implications for individuals and society.

---

Physical and Mental Health Risks

1. Cardiovascular Issues:
   Studies, including one published in The Lancet, indicate a strong correlation between long working hours and cardiovascular diseases. People working 55 hours or more weekly face a 13% higher risk of heart disease and a 33% higher risk of stroke compared to those working standard hours. Sustained stress from long hours elevates blood pressure, disrupts sleep, and exacerbates inflammation.

2. Sleep Deprivation:
   Sleep is critical for cognitive and physical functioning. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep for adults, but those working 90 hours a week often compromise this. Sleep deprivation reduces decision-making ability, impairs memory, and increases the risk of accidents, especially in professions like healthcare and transportation.

3. Mental Health:
   Long working hours contribute significantly to mental health issues. According to a study published in Psychological Medicine, workers with extended hours experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout. The chronic stress associated with excessive work reduces emotional resilience, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of hopelessness.

4. Occupational Injuries:
   Fatigue from prolonged hours increases the likelihood of workplace injuries. This is especially concerning in manual labor or high-stakes environments like surgery, where even small mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.

---

Impact on Work-Life Balance and Relationships

1. Strained Personal Relationships:
   Long hours leave little time for family, friends, or significant others. Partners may feel neglected, leading to tension or conflict. Children of overworked parents often experience emotional distance, reduced guidance, and a lack of quality bonding time.

2. Parenting Challenges:
   Parents working excessive hours may unintentionally delegate childcare responsibilities to others, leading to weakened parent-child relationships. Research highlights that children in such households often face higher stress levels and lower academic performance.

3. Social Isolation:
   Working 90 hours a week leaves minimal time for social activities, community involvement, or leisure pursuits. The lack of social interaction fosters loneliness, further exacerbating mental health problems.

---

Economic and Career Implications

1. Productivity Paradox:
   Contrary to the perception that long hours equate to high productivity, research by John Pencavel from Stanford University reveals that output per hour declines sharply when weekly working hours exceed 50. Beyond 70 hours, productivity gains are negligible.

2. Healthcare Costs:
   Chronic illnesses caused by overwork, such as hypertension, diabetes, and depression, lead to significant healthcare expenses. These costs often offset the financial benefits of long hours.

3. Career Longevity:
   Burnout from excessive work can result in early retirement or frequent job changes, disrupting long-term career goals. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that workers experiencing burnout are more likely to disengage and perform poorly over time.

---

Sociological and Cultural Consequences

1. Normalization of Overwork:
   A culture that glorifies overwork perpetuates unhealthy work environments. Industries that equate long hours with commitment and success create unrealistic expectations for employees. This "hustle culture" discourages self-care, fosters guilt for taking breaks, and stigmatizes those who prioritize work-life balance.

2. Gender Inequality:
   Women, who often bear a larger share of caregiving responsibilities, face greater challenges in environments demanding excessive hours. This perpetuates gender disparities in career advancement and contributes to the gender pay gap.

3. Erosion of Community Bonds:
   Excessive work hours detract from civic engagement and community building. People working long hours are less likely to volunteer, participate in local activities, or vote, weakening the social fabric of communities.

---

Cultural Variations in Work Hours

Cultural attitudes toward work vary globally. For example:

• In Japan, "karoshi" (death from overwork) is a recognized phenomenon, prompting policies to cap overtime.
• Scandinavian countries prioritize work-life balance, with shorter working hours and generous parental leave policies.
• The U.S. and some Asian nations often promote overwork as a pathway to success, contributing to burnout and health issues.

These differences highlight the role of societal values and governmental policies in shaping work culture.

---

Solutions and Recommendations

1. Policy Interventions:
   Governments should enforce limits on weekly working hours, similar to the European Union’s Working Time Directive, which caps hours at 48 per week. Employers can adopt flexible scheduling and mandatory rest periods to promote healthier work environments.

2. Organizational Changes:
   Companies must foster a culture that values efficiency over hours worked. Initiatives like remote work, job-sharing, and four-day workweeks can reduce employee stress while maintaining productivity.

3. Personal Strategies:
   Workers should prioritize self-care by setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and seeking professional help for stress management. Time management techniques, such as prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities, can also help balance workloads.

4. Cultural Shifts:
   Society must redefine success to include health, happiness, and meaningful relationships rather than solely financial achievement. This shift requires collaboration between media, educational institutions, and policymakers to reshape cultural narratives around work.

---

Conclusion

Working 90 hours a week has far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, personal relationships, and societal well-being. The glorification of overwork undermines productivity and fosters a culture of burnout. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy reform, organizational change, and cultural shifts. By prioritizing balance and sustainability, individuals and societies can achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives.

While hard work has its place, the evidence is clear: excessively long hours are neither sustainable nor beneficial. As global conversations around work evolve, it is essential to prioritize well-being over relentless productivity.

Story and Importance of Sasthi Devi - Remedy for Childless couple and healthy life for children

 

Description of Śāsthī Devī

The sixth part of Prakṛti is named Śāsthī. The Devī Śāsthī is the Presiding Deity of infants and children; She is the Māyā of Viṣṇu and She bestows sons to all. She is one of the sixteen Mātṛkās and is known by the name of Devasenā."

• Role and Attributes:
  Śāsthī Devī is the chaste and dearest wife of Skanda. She determines the longevity of children and is constantly engaged in their protection. She is a Siddha-Yoginī, always keeping children close to her.
• Priyavrata’s Story:
  Nārāyaṇa recounted the story of Svāyambhuva Manu’s son, Priyavrata, who remained a great yogīndra practicing austerities. Upon Brahmā’s request, Priyavrata married, but for a long time, he had no children. After performing a Putresti sacrifice with Mahārṣi Kaśyapa, his wife Mālinī consumed the sacrificial offering and became pregnant.
• The Birth of the Lifeless Son:
  Mālinī carried the child in her womb for twelve Deva years, but when the child was born, it was lifeless. Grief-stricken, Priyavrata took his son to the cremation ground, where he encountered a divine aerial car, and on it, a beautiful, youthful Siddha-Yoginī appeared.

Meeting with Devasenā

Priyavrata's Worship: Upon seeing the Siddha-Yoginī, Priyavrata placed the child on the ground and began to worship her with hymns. He asked who she was, and the Devī, shining like the summer sun, answered him.

Devasenā’s Revelation: "O King! I am the mind-born daughter of Brahmā. My name is Devasenā, and I am Skanda’s wife, known as Śāsthī among the Mātṛkās. I bestow sons to those who have none, wives to those who have none, wealth to the poor, and fulfillment to all karmīs."

Devasenā explained the importance of karma in determining the circumstances of one’s life, including children, wealth, and well-being. She revived Priyavrata’s lifeless son and assured him of future blessings.

Boon Granted by Śāsthī Devī

• Blessing of a Son:
  Devasenā promised Priyavrata a son who would be famous by the name Suvrata, renowned for his virtues and strength. The king promised to worship her and spread her worship throughout the three worlds.

Worship of Śāsthī Devī

Establishment of Worship:
Priyavrata returned to his kingdom and performed auspicious ceremonies in honor of Śāsthī Devī. From then on, every sixth day of the bright fortnight and other ceremonies related to childbirth became dedicated to her worship.

• Dhyānam and Method of Worship:
  Śāsthī Devī is meditated upon as the giver of sons, adorned with jeweled ornaments, and bright like the white campaka flowers. Offerings of pādya, arghya, ācamanaīya, scents, flowers, dhūpa, lights, and food are made to her. The principal mantra for her worship is:
  “Āūm̐ hṛīṁ śāsthī devyai svāhā.”
• The Power of Stotra:
  A stotra (hymn) composed by Priyavrata for Śāsthī Devī, when repeated with devotion, brings blessings of children, wealth, and well-being. It is said that a barren woman or one who loses children can attain a healthy, long-lived child through the grace of Śāsthī Devī by reciting this stotra.

Stotra translated in English:
"O Devī, Devasenā! I bow down to Thee. O Śāsthī Devī, grant me wealth, sons, and victory, and protect me from enemies. Bestow upon me learning and prosperity, and fulfill my desires."

Through her grace, those who worship her with devotion are blessed with children and success in their endeavors.

 

Popular SriVidya Mantras

 

Popular SriVidya Mantras

 

Panchadashi Mantras

Kadi Vidya - ka e ī la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ha sa ka la hrīṃ |

Hadi Vidya - ha sa ka la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ka la hrīṃ |

Sadi Vidya - sa e ī la hrīṃ - sa ha ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ka la hrīṃ |

Shodashi Mantras (3 variations)

ka e ī la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ha sa ka la hrīṃ | śrīṁ

ka e ī la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ha sa ka la hrīṃ | klīṁ

ka e ī la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ha sa ka la hrīṃ | aiṁ

Saptadashi Mantra

ka e ī la hrīṃ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ - sa ha sa ka la hrīṃ | haṃsa

Astadashi Mantra

aiṁ - ka e ī la hrīṁ

hrīṁ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ

śrīṁ - sa ka la hrīṁ

Saubhagya Panchadashi Mantra

aiṁ - ka e ī la hrīṁ

klīṁ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ

sauḥ - sa ka la hrīṁ

Purna Shodashi Mantra

aiṁ - ka e ī la hrīṁ

klīṁ - ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ

sauḥ - sa ka la hrīṁ | śrīṁ

Nirvana Sundari Mantra

ka e ī la ha sa ka ha la sa ka la hrīm̐ |

Maha Shodashi Mantra

om śrīṁ hrīṁ klīṁ aiṁ sauḥ

om hrīṁ śrīṁ

ka e ī la hrīṁ

ha sa ka ha la hrīṁ

sa ka la hrīṁ

sauḥ aiṁ klīṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ

Para Shodashi Mantra

śrīṃ sauḥ klīṃ aiṃ hrīṃ

oṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ

sa ka la hrīṃ

ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ

ka e ī la hrīṃ

hrīṃ aiṃ klīṃ sauḥ śrīṃ |

version 2

klīṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ aiṃ klīṃ sauḥ

ka e ī la hrīṃ

ha sa ka ha la hrīṃ

sa ka la hrīṃ

strīṃ aiṃ kroṃ krīṃ īṃ hūṃ

Uchhista Ganapati Mantra 12 Lettered

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_OLqSUVdfk

Mahapadukamantra for Shivas Grace as Guru (Useful for Material and Spiritual success)

 

Bhuvaneshwari mantra for well being