While there is no second thought that depression could affect anyone, those who are grilling themselves for more than eleven hours a day seem to be at heightened risk of depression. Carried out by researchers from Queen Mary’s of the University of London, University College of London, the University of Bristol, McGill University in Canada, and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the team examined the daily routine of over 2,000 UK civil servants and the tracked them with the depressive symptoms they experienced in the next six years.

Excessive work load could put one under the increased risk of 2.5 times of facing consequences of depression. However, there is lot to be done in the same context before the connection between overtime and depression could be established.

There is no doubt the one can face depression due to various reasons and this is what had even the study has factored before making any claim. However, there is still to be lot scratched to find out the logic behind working more than 11 hours.

Published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLoS ONE, the study got financial backing from the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, the Stroke Association and the US National Institutes of Health.

"Although occasionally working overtime may have benefits for the individual and society, it is important to recognise working excessive hours is also associated with a risk of major depression”, said Marianna Virtanen, the lead author of the study.

One who is working for such long hours is more at risk of being physical exhaust, thereby limiting time for other activities. This is perhaps what making them more at risk of being dull during the rest of the day. There is need for one to strike a balance between professional and personal life to enjoy every single second of life to the fullest.