Research Plus

Non-work activities reduce stress

The contribution of ‘active and fulfilling’ non-work time to recovery from work-related stress is underestimated. In total, 314 working healthy adults (72% women, mean age 40.5 years) completed the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory as well as a custom-built scale for non-work activity (exercise, hobbies and social activity). The pattern of non-work time was significant in determining sleep quality, recovery from acute work-related stress and reduced chronic fatigue. Potential skewing owing to the method of study recruitment (online) is acknowledged.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007; 49(8): 862–871. 

Tags evidence based practice stress

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2007/2008 (vol. 04/4) pp39