The Gulf Health Council for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf has activated the Gulf Week for Occupational Health and Safety from April 26 to 30, in collaboration with the Ministries of Health of the member states. This week is a significant health event in the Gulf, aimed at protecting workers from various occupational hazards and raising their awareness of the necessity to adhere to regulations and guidelines to avoid risks.
The Council has launched a series of educational and awareness guidelines through its official social media accounts. These guidelines include advice on misconceptions about work stress, such as the belief that longer working hours mean higher productivity without health consequences. Studies show that working 55 hours or more per week is associated with a 35% increased risk of stroke compared to working 35-40 hours per week.
The Council clarified that vacations are not the sole solution for dealing with job burnout, as research indicates that while vacations can reduce exhaustion levels, they do not address burnout. Therefore, sustainable solutions must be found to handle job burnout.
Furthermore, the Council noted signs that may indicate you are experiencing job burnout, including psychological factors like feeling depressed at work, forgetfulness, and lack of concentration, becoming more critical and cynical in the workplace. Physical factors include frequent tension headaches, loss of appetite, acid reflux, fatigue, deteriorating sleep quality, weakened immune system, and increased susceptibility to illnesses.
The Gulf Week for Occupational Health and Safety is part of the Gulf Health Council’s ongoing efforts to enhance awareness of the importance of occupational health and safety among the citizens of the council’s states. For more information, you can visit the “Your Health Guide” platform at the following link:
https://www.ghc.sa/yourhealthguide/
