New research from the University of South Australia investigated what can happen when you allow work to dominate your life.

Researchers surveyed over 2,000 academics and professionals working at 40 Australian universities for this project. In a nutshell, the findings make a compelling case for everyone to log off each day promptly at 5PM.

The analysis discovered that people who regularly respond to work communications after hours were much more likely to suffer burnout, psychological distress, and even physical health deterioration.

A study published in Academy of Management Proceedings found that the very knowledge an employee may have to respond to after-hours communications sparks serious stress and anxiety among both the individual in question and their entire family.

Read the original research in Academy of Management Proceedings.

Learn more about the AOM Scholars and explore their work:

• William J. Becker, Liuba Belkin, Sarah Tuskey, Virginia Tech