In a bizarre yet encouraging finding, researchers at the University of Michigan found that life expectancy in the United States increased by six years during the Great Depression. That is, according to Science Daily, “life expectancy rose from 57.1 in 1929 to 63.3 years in 1932.”
Does that mean we’re likely to see an increase in our lifespans as an unexpected bonus of living through rotten times?
Of course there’s no guarantee, but the researchers have some theories that seem to support the idea.
Tapia Granados, one of the scientists who conducted the study, notes: “Working conditions are very different during expansions and recessions. … During expansions, firms are very busy, and they typically demand a lot of effort from employees, who are required to work a lot of overtime, and to work at a fast pace. This can create stress, which is associated with more drinking and smoking.” Granados also notes that new, untrained hires may be more prone to injury, and that people who work a lot are likely to sleep less and eat poorly.
To be honest, I’d imagine that stress caused by lack of cash could be just as injurious to your health as stress caused by overwork. But maybe, as the recession wears on, we’ll relax more… kick back… and enjoy the health benefits available to those who are no longer worried about office hours, nagging bosses or those pesky investment portfolios!
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