In the UK, over 800,000 people are waiting for orthopaedic treatment. For many workers, the delay means long spells away from work or even early retirement. Musculoskeletal pain costs employers around £3.36 billion each year.
October 2, 2025. 7.36 million people are on the NHS waiting list now; trauma and orthopaedics are the main causes of the largest backlogs, exceeding 800,000 patients in 2024. Patients needing a hip or knee replacement often wait longer than half a year. Many lose their ability to keep working during that time. Each month of waiting adds more pain, deformity, and risk of lasting mobility loss, surgeons warn.
People in constant pain often cut their hours, and some leave work altogether.UK workers lost 148.9 million workdays due to sickness or injury in 2024. Musculoskeletal problems made up 15.5% of those days, which is around 23.1 million lost ones.
That much time off work results in increased costs for both employees and employers. Based on a median weekly pay of £728 in April 2024, or about £146 a day. At that rate, musculoskeletal absences cost the UK economy around £3.36 billion a year.
Risks of delayed surgery
The biggest percentage of people waiting are orthopaedic patients. In some UK regions, more than 3,000 people had to wait for an operation for over a year. On average, the waiting time is 28.7 weeks. For many, that means worsening pain, restricted mobility, and weaker supporting muscles. Surgeons warn that the longer the delay, the higher the chance of permanent problems. Those range from joint deformity and stiffness to loss of bone mass.
“Extended delays limit mobility and force patients to rely on pain medication for longer. When anti-inflammatory drugs stop working, many turn to opioids,” said Sarunas Tarasevicius, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Nordorthopaedics Clinic. “Opioids are stronger, but they carry the risk of addiction. That dependency affects both physical and mental well-being, and it only grows the longer people are left without surgery.”
Medication use has more risks. “Prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs raises the chance of stomach bleeding, while untreated arthrosis can cause permanent bone loss. In those cases, surgeons must use more metal implants to rebuild bone structure, which increases both the scale and cost of surgery,” added Tarasevicius.
The physical toll is severe too. Patients trying to protect a painful joint often shift weight to the other leg.
“Over time, this can cause pelvic tilt, back pain, and spinal changes. Muscles around the damaged joint weaken, making post-surgery recovery slower and more difficult. If the operation is delayed too long, muscle atrophy sets in and the surgery itself becomes more complex,” Tarasevicius explained.
Pain does not only affect the body. Patients often reduce hours at work or leave jobs entirely when they can no longer manage the demands of daily tasks. “This is especially true for people in physical roles. Pain makes work almost impossible, but it also affects everyday life – from housework to simple movement,” elaborated Tarasevicius.
Some patients try to cope by reducing activity, since joints hurt less when not under load. Yet this strategy comes with its own cost, as inactivity speeds up muscle wasting and further reduces mobility.
“A shadow of my former self”
Anne Hyde, a resident of Norwich, needed a right hip replacement after an accident in 2016 that had gone undiagnosed. By 2021, her mobility had collapsed – she relied on a walking stick, needed workplace adjustments, and often worked from home. Driving was painful, walking her dog was no longer possible, and her dependence on Tramadol grew. “At 57 I felt like a shadow of my former self,” the 61-year-old woman said.
Told that an “urgent” operation would still mean waiting about a year, Anne began looking at private options. The cost in the UK was close to £15,000 with little aftercare. Research and contact with past patients led her to Nordorthopaedics Clinic in Lithuania, where she had already travelled before. “I spent less than half the UK price and was supported from the airport through to flying home 13 days later,” Anne explained. Her GP later removed the staples and praised the quality of the surgical work. “I would not hesitate to recommend the decision I made to anyone in the same position.”
A faster route for patients
Nordorthopaedics Clinic reports that patients can usually undergo surgery within two to four weeks, compared to months of waiting in UK hospitals, including private providers. Hip and knee replacements remain the most common procedures, followed by rehabilitation and physiotherapy carried out on site.
Demand for orthopaedic care in Lithuania has risen steadily in recent years, as patients in countries with longer waiting times seek alternatives. Surgeons note that intervening in time not only reduces pain but also helps people retain their work and soften the economic burden.
“Timely surgery restores function and protects employment. It is always better to treat the joint before the cascade of problems begins,” concluded Tarasevicius.
ABOUT NORDORTHOPAEDICS
Nordorthopaedics is a private clinic in Kaunas, Lithuania, part of Nordclinic, offering high-quality services and focusing on foreign patients. It is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities. Medical professionals at the clinic speak fluent English and show personal attention to every patient. www.nordorthopaedics.com/en.
Sober October Made Simple: Life Coach Shares 30-Day Roadmap to Alcohol-Free Living
EL PASO, Texas, Oct. 2, 2025 — Sober October is the perfect moment for people to pause and reevaluate their relationship with alcohol. Chris Najera, certified life coach and author of The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol, delivers a timely, practical guide to help readers take a 30-day break from drinking, blending personal experience with actionable strategies for lasting change.
Najera knows the challenge firsthand: He battled alcohol use disorder for over 30 years. In The Hard Truth!, he shares candid, lived experience alongside research-based advice, offering readers clarity, courage and a roadmap toward freedom from alcohol. Designed for anyone who drinks regularly — from casual to daily drinkers — the book empowers readers to break free from dependency and reclaim control over their lives.
“If you’re looking to stop, you’ve come to the right place,” Najera said. “This book gives you the tools to take that first month seriously, see real progress and start discovering the person you were meant to be before alcohol disrupted your life.”
So what happens on Day One of Najera’s 30-day plan? Simply deciding to stop.
“You have to want to stop,” Najera said. “You have to want it more than anything. You have to have a paradigm shift in your mind.”
While Najera’s narrative is hopeful and encouraging, he doesn’t shy away from pointing out the darker aspects of alcohol usage and the damage it does to the human body. He also shares phone numbers and websites for a range of organizations where individuals can find the help they need — and discover what works best for their personal journeys. Ultimately, Najera challenges readers to confront alcohol’s hold and make more informed choices.
“What makes this book unique is its honesty and practicality,” Najera said. “Whether you’re questioning your drinking habits, taking part in Sober October or seeking lasting sobriety, The Hard Truth! offers clarity, guidance and encouragement. This isn’t just a book — it’s a tool to empower individuals and educate communities about the risks of alcohol and the possibility of change.”
The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol
Publisher: Spines
Release Date: June 13, 2025
ISBN-13: 979-8896917939
The press release above may be published in part or entirety by any print, broadcast or internet/digital media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing.
Reviews, photos, links to previous interviews and Q&As are available upon request.
About the Author
Christopher J. Najera is a certified life coach, public speaker and author who spent 35 years battling alcohol use disorder. Najera speaks from a place of raw honesty and lived truth. A weekend drinker who turned to daily drinking, alcohol consumed him, and he sought outpatient treatment. After seeing others suffering, he realized he didn’t want to end up on dialysis or a liver transplant list like his peers. It was in those moments that real change was the best outcome for his future.
Driven by a mission to expose the truths alcohol companies never reveal, Najera brings together powerful facts, personal stories and practical tools to help audiences understand their relationship with alcohol and reclaim their lives. His work aligns with global health efforts, including the World Health Organization's campaign to reduce harmful alcohol use by 2030 at the local level.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Najera balances his work as a life coach and author with mentoring others on the path to sobriety. He lives sober, advocates for healthier choices and proves that transformation is possible at any stage of life.
1 in 3 Employees Have Cried at Work, Most Feel Pressure to Hide It Zety Report Explores Emotional Masking, Strain & Gaps in Psychological Safety
Wednesday, October 1st 2025 - A new survey from career platform Zety® uncovers the hidden emotional toll of workplace stress - and what Dr. Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety, calls corporate masking: employees feeling compelled to hide their emotions in order to appear professional.
According to the Workplace Emotional Safety Report, based on responses from over 1,000 employees, nearly 1 in 3 workers say they have cried at work, yet most report feeling pressure to conceal their struggles. These findings point to a deeper, often overlooked dimension of workplace stress: the burden of silent emotional labor.
Key Findings
Masking emotions is common: 67% of employees have hidden their feelings at work to appear professional.
Work stress drives tears: 61% have felt overwhelmed to the point of tears in the past year, and 30% have cried in front of a coworker or manager.
Burnout is widespread: 43% cite chronic stress and 42% cite heavy workloads as top triggers.
Judgment is real:44% feel judged when they show stress, and 1 in 3 have been told to “toughen up” or “leave feelings at the door.”
Support gaps persist: Just 16% would turn to their manager for help, while many lean on peers, friends, or family.
The State of Psychological Safety
Only 32% rate their workplace’s psychological safety as high.
1 in 3 feel uncomfortable expressing negative emotions at all.
1 in 4 say they wouldn’t feel safe telling their manager if their mental health were suffering.
“These numbers show that many employees don’t feel fully safe to be themselves at work,” says Jasmine Escalera, Career Expert at Zety. “When people mask their emotions, it hurts individuals, and it also impacts workplaces by limiting openness, trust, and collaboration.”
Emotional Strain and Burnout
Workplace pressures are fueling strain: 1 in 4 feel emotionally drained multiple times a week, and 1 in 10 say they feel this way daily.
Top causes: conflict with managers or colleagues (29%), lack of recognition (28%), toxic culture (23%).
36% have reported a false reason when taking a mental health day; 7% avoid mental health leave entirely.
Barriers to Speaking Up
Employees often silence themselves after being invalidated:
1 in 3 have been told to “calm down” or “toughen up.”
21% say colleagues dismiss their emotions, while 14% say peers are unaware altogether.
36% have reported a false reason when taking a mental health day, and 7% avoid mental health leave entirely.
Methodology The findings presented are based on a nationally representative survey conducted by Zety UK using Pollfish on July 30, 2025. The survey collected responses from 1,023 U.S. workers, examining their experiences and perceptions related to emotional safety in the workplace, including stressors, burnout, barriers to expressing feelings, coping strategies, and overall psychological safety. Respondents answered different types of questions, including yes/no, scale-based questions where they indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options. The sample consisted of 50% female and 50% male respondents, with 15% Gen Z, 33% Millennials, 35% Gen X, and 17% Baby Boomers.
About Zety
Zety’s articles follow strict editorial guidelines.Zety resume templates and Zety's resume and cover letter generator are trusted by 12 million users each year. With 100s of options to choose from, including professionally designed resume templates to beat the ATS, users can create a professional resume in less than 15 minutes. Since 2016, Zety’s career bloghas provided free data-driven insights to over 40 million readers annually, empowering professionals at every stage. The editorial team includes Certified Professional Resume Writers, with the best career advice and evidence-based findings featured in Business Insider, CNBC, and Forbes, among others. Follow Zety on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, andInstagram for free expert career tips and updates.
New Book Challenges America’s Mental Health Paradigm by Exploring ‘Spiritual Emergency’
NEW YORK, September 30, 2025 — What happens when a spiritual awakening doesn’t look like peace and enlightenment but instead like chaos, confusion and crisis?
In her profound, unflinchingly honest new book, An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health, Aymie Daniels offers a rare, courageous look into the misunderstood phenomenon of Spiritual Emergency—a term first coined by Stanislav and Christina Grof in the 1970s to describe a transformational crisis with profound psychological and spiritual implications. While respected in some therapeutic and indigenous traditions, it remains largely overlooked and often mishandled by modern American culture and the mental health system.
“In indigenous cultures, those who access metaphysical realms are revered as healers and shamans,” Daniels said. “In America, they’re often misunderstood, pathologized or dismissed.”
Part riveting personal journey, part guide, Daniels blends lived experience with practical frameworks for well-being, emotional regulation and integration of consciousness. She writes openly about her struggles with addiction, mental health and awakening—offering both raw honesty and practical tools for resilience, personal growth and healing.
At a time when conversations around mental health are expanding, An American Awakening adds a crucial voice. Honest, unflinching and ultimately redemptive, it challenges stigma and reframes crises not as pathology, but as possibility.
“I wrote this book to reach people who, like me, have faced deep challenges—and to remind them they’re not alone,” Daniels said. “At the same time, I wanted to build a bridge of understanding between the general public and those experiencing extreme psychological states, so we can begin to see each other with more compassion and clarity.”
Whether navigating personal challenges, moving through a spiritual emergency, or seeking personal growth and transformation, An American Awakening brings forward a perspective that has long been overlooked. It doesn’t just break the silence around stigma—it opens a new conversation and sparks hope where there has often been too little.
“Mental health is still evolving,” Daniels added. “And expanding the conversation gives voice and visibility to those too often silenced.”
An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health
Aymie Daniels is the Managing Director of Prophet Source, a personal development company devoted to healing, transformation and the power of looking within. Drawing on her background in holistic health, her career in corporate finance and the depth of her own lived experience, she bridges the gap between spiritual insight and practical growth, offering a unique voice in the wellness and transformation space.
Daniels holds a bachelor's degree in Holistic Health Sciences and is board-certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. At Prophet Source, her work centers on Mind Awareness & Development, a philosophy that redefines what it means to be “MAD” by empowering individuals to embrace their powerful minds, unlock their strengths and rise to their highest potential.
New Book Challenges America’s Mental Health Paradigm by Exploring ‘Spiritual Emergency’
NEW YORK, September 29, 2025 — What happens when a spiritual awakening doesn’t look like peace and enlightenment but instead like chaos, confusion and crisis?
In her profound, unflinchingly honest new book, An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health, Aymie Daniels offers a rare, courageous look into the misunderstood phenomenon of Spiritual Emergency—a term first coined by Stanislav and Christina Grof in the 1970s to describe a transformational crisis with profound psychological and spiritual implications. While respected in some therapeutic and indigenous traditions, it remains largely overlooked and often mishandled by modern American culture and the mental health system.
“In indigenous cultures, those who access metaphysical realms are revered as healers and shamans,” Daniels said. “In America, they’re often misunderstood, pathologized or dismissed.”
Part riveting personal journey, part guide, Daniels blends lived experience with practical frameworks for well-being, emotional regulation and integration of consciousness. She writes openly about her struggles with addiction, mental health and awakening—offering both raw honesty and practical tools for resilience, personal growth and healing.
At a time when conversations around mental health are expanding, An American Awakening adds a crucial voice. Honest, unflinching and ultimately redemptive, it challenges stigma and reframes crises not as pathology, but as possibility.
“I wrote this book to reach people who, like me, have faced deep challenges—and to remind them they’re not alone,” Daniels said. “At the same time, I wanted to build a bridge of understanding between the general public and those experiencing extreme psychological states, so we can begin to see each other with more compassion and clarity.”
Whether navigating personal challenges, moving through a spiritual emergency, or seeking personal growth and transformation, An American Awakening brings forward a perspective that has long been overlooked. It doesn’t just break the silence around stigma—it opens a new conversation and sparks hope where there has often been too little.
“Mental health is still evolving,” Daniels added. “And expanding the conversation gives voice and visibility to those too often silenced.”
An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health
Aymie Daniels is the Managing Director of Prophet Source, a personal development company devoted to healing, transformation and the power of looking within. Drawing on her background in holistic health, her career in corporate finance and the depth of her own lived experience, she bridges the gap between spiritual insight and practical growth, offering a unique voice in the wellness and transformation space.
Daniels holds a bachelor's degree in Holistic Health Sciences and is board-certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. At Prophet Source, her work centers on Mind Awareness & Development, a philosophy that redefines what it means to be “MAD” by empowering individuals to embrace their powerful minds, unlock their strengths and rise to their highest potential.
New Book Challenges America’s Mental Health Paradigm by Exploring ‘Spiritual Emergency’
NEW YORK, September 25, 2025 — What happens when a spiritual awakening doesn’t look like peace and enlightenment but instead like chaos, confusion and crisis?
In her profound, unflinchingly honest new book, An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health, Aymie Daniels offers a rare, courageous look into the misunderstood phenomenon of Spiritual Emergency—a term first coined by Stanislav and Christina Grof in the 1970s to describe a transformational crisis with profound psychological and spiritual implications. While respected in some therapeutic and indigenous traditions, it remains largely overlooked and often mishandled by modern American culture and the mental health system.
“In indigenous cultures, those who access metaphysical realms are revered as healers and shamans,” Daniels said. “In America, they’re often misunderstood, pathologized or dismissed.”
Part riveting personal journey, part guide, Daniels blends lived experience with practical frameworks for well-being, emotional regulation and integration of consciousness. She writes openly about her struggles with addiction, mental health and awakening—offering both raw honesty and practical tools for resilience, personal growth and healing.
At a time when conversations around mental health are expanding, An American Awakening adds a crucial voice. Honest, unflinching and ultimately redemptive, it challenges stigma and reframes crises not as pathology, but as possibility.
“I wrote this book to reach people who, like me, have faced deep challenges—and to remind them they’re not alone,” Daniels said. “At the same time, I wanted to build a bridge of understanding between the general public and those experiencing extreme psychological states, so we can begin to see each other with more compassion and clarity.”
Whether navigating personal challenges, moving through a spiritual emergency, or seeking personal growth and transformation, An American Awakening brings forward a perspective that has long been overlooked. It doesn’t just break the silence around stigma—it opens a new conversation and sparks hope where there has often been too little.
“Mental health is still evolving,” Daniels added. “And expanding the conversation gives voice and visibility to those too often silenced.”
An American Awakening: The Interdependent Relationship of Spirituality and Mental Health
Aymie Daniels is the Managing Director of Prophet Source, a personal development company devoted to healing, transformation and the power of looking within. Drawing on her background in holistic health, her career in corporate finance and the depth of her own lived experience, she bridges the gap between spiritual insight and practical growth, offering a unique voice in the wellness and transformation space.
Daniels holds a bachelor's degree in Holistic Health Sciences and is board-certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. At Prophet Source, her work centers on Mind Awareness & Development, a philosophy that redefines what it means to be “MAD” by empowering individuals to embrace their powerful minds, unlock their strengths and rise to their highest potential.
Seeing the World Through a Negative Filter? Energy Healer Says Subconscious Beliefs May Be Distorting Reality
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 24, 2025 — Most people don’t realize their biggest obstacle isn’t out in the world — it’s inside their minds. According to certified energy healer Tim Spriggs, deeply embedded negative beliefs act like invisible filters, distorting how people see themselves, others and even their possibilities.
“We may have something inside of us that’s negative — something that keeps speaking to us without our awareness,” said Spriggs, founder of Revive Wellness Center in Albuquerque. “It’s kind of like putting a filter on everything you interact with. If that filter is negative, you’ll perceive the world more negatively, no matter what’s actually happening.”
While it may not be possible to always view the world through rose-colored glasses, Spriggs can use targeted energy healing techniques to help clients identify and clear away the sources of negative, limiting beliefs and energetic imbalances that are keeping them from moving forward.
He offers a variety of in-person and virtual sessions that incorporate the Emotion Code, Body Code and Belief Code, as well as Reiki sessions.
Spriggs described the Emotion Code as a technique that helps people identify and release trapped emotional energies from negative past events. These harmful trapped emotions can cause a variety of physical and emotional issues.
“Because trapped emotions are made of energy, just like the rest of the body, they exert an influence on the body’s tissues and can cause blockages, resulting in physical discomfort or even illness,” Spriggs said. “Releasing trapped emotions makes conditions right for the body to heal itself physically, and emotional difficulties often disappear or become much easier to handle.”
The Body Code, he said, is a sophisticated and complete method of body balancing that encompasses emotional, energetic, nutritional, structural, pathogenic and toxicity factors.
“This technique is not meant to replace any medical treatment, but by correcting underlying imbalances, we help the body’s innate self-healing ability to take over,” he said. “As a result, discomfort and malfunction in the body often disappear, the organs function as they should, nutrients are absorbed properly, energy levels are raised and emotional issues become manageable or nonexistent.”
The Belief Code builds on the Emotion Code and Body Code, Spriggs explained, and allows him to tap into the subconscious mind to identify and release negative internal statements, reverse or replace negative systems of thought, and create space for new empowering beliefs.
“The Belief Code offers us a way to uproot negative subconscious internal statements, release ourselves from incongruous belief patterns and allows us to see things as they really are,” he added. “Free your mind, body and spirit from beliefs that have been holding you back!”
Reviews, photos, links to previous interviews and Q&As are available upon request.
About Tim Spriggs
Initially trained in Reiki, Spriggs expanded his skills to incorporate the Emotion Code, Body Code and Belief Code, creating a powerful, integrated approach to wellness. Each modality holds unique insights into how bodies and minds store energy, emotions and beliefs, all of which shape experiences and health.
Coming from a family with strong medical roots, Spriggs witnessed the conventional path of healing firsthand but always believed that there was more to well-being than physical treatments alone. This belief drove him to explore complementary modalities that promote healing from within. Today, he strives to offer a holistic, compassionate practice that resonates with those seeking alternative, meaningful methods to resolve deep-seated issues and restore harmony in their lives.
National Recovery Month: Life Coach Uses His Journey to Inspire Others, Shares 30-Day Roadmap to Sobriety
EL PASO, Texas, Sept. 24, 2025 — An estimated 400 million people worldwide live with alcohol use disorders, according to the World Health Organization. Chris Najera is a certified life coach who also battled alcohol use disorder, and he delivers a timely guide for change in his new book, The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol.
Blending raw honesty, personal experience and practical strategies, Najera gives readers the tools to take back control. His 30-day roadmap to taking an alcohol break also provides readers with a pathway toward clarity, purpose and long-term sobriety.
“If you’re looking to stop, you’ve come to the right place,” Najera writes in the book’s introduction. “What I learned in sobriety is when you stop, you find a new person — you’re someone completely new … the person you were supposed to be in the first place, before the alcohol disrupted your life.”
Najera doesn’t just share his personal story of struggle and triumph, he equips readers with an action-oriented guide designed for anyone who drinks alcohol regularly and may question their relationship with alcohol — from mild drinkers and weekend drinkers to daily users. Through lived experience and researched wisdom, Najera challenges readers to dismantle the illusions of alcohol, break free from dependency and reclaim their lives.
“What makes this book unique is its mix of unfiltered honesty, practical strategies, and powerful insights that speak directly to moderate and heavy drinkers who are tired of the cycle,” Najera said. “Whether you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, taking a break for Sober October or searching for hope after repeated struggles, The Hard Truth! offers both clarity and courage. This isn’t just a book. It’s about educating communities and providing a tool to fight back against something that destroys so many lives.”
Christopher J. Najera is a college graduate, certified life coach, public speaker and author of The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol. With 35 years of personal experience battling alcohol use disorder, Najera speaks from a place of raw honesty and lived truth. A weekend drinker who turned to daily drinking, his transformation began because of what most ignore as “normal,” but affects everyone around them. In the end, alcohol consumed him, and he sought outpatient treatment. After seeing others suffering, he realized he didn’t want to end up on dialysis or a liver transplant list like his peers. It was in those moments where real change was the best outcome for his future.
Driven by a mission to expose the truths alcohol companies never reveal, Najera brings together powerful facts, personal stories and practical tools to help audiences understand their relationship with alcohol and reclaim their lives. His work aligns with global health efforts, including the World Health Organization's campaign to reduce harmful alcohol use by 2030 at the local level.
Najera was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. When he's not writing or speaking, he’s mentoring others on the path to sobriety and helping them discover that it’s never too late to make a change. He also works as a roofing contractor in El Paso while living his best life sober.
🌍 Charity Week is Here: 💪 Supp Up, Clean Up
This week at Legion, we’re doing something special.
From now through Sunday, September 21st, a portion of every single order will be donated to help clean up plastic waste and protect our planet’s future. Your purchase doesn’t just fuel your fitness goals — it helps make a real difference for the environment too.
How You Can Support
All you have to do is stock up on your favorite Legion supplements this week. Every order counts toward the mission to clean up plastic waste and protect our planet.
When you shop through my link, you can save on your order while being part of something bigger. Together, we can build stronger bodies and a cleaner planet.
Thank you for being part of this mission-driven community. Let’s make a difference together. 🌊
The Rise of the Overworked American: U.S. Work Hours Reach Record Highs in 2024
New MyPerfectResume analysis reveals an 11% increase in national work hours since 2007, led by Texas (+34%), North Dakota (+31%), and Utah (+29%)
GUAYNABO, PR – September 9, 2025 – New data analysis from resume-building platform MyPerfectResume®finds that Americans are working significantly more than they were in the mid-2000s, despite little growth in real wages or workplace support. Using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the Changing American Workweek report reveals that cumulative national work hours have surged 10.7% since Q1 2007, reaching a record 296.7 billion hours in Q4 2024.
Unlike traditional employment statistics, which count the number of people with jobs, this analysis focuses on total labor volume, the actual hours Americans are working. The results show a rise in labor intensity across the U.S., fueled by second jobs, longer shifts, gig work, and blurred lines between home and work.
“We often ask how many people are working, but the better question is: how much are they working, and at what cost?” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. “This new metric captures the full weight of the modern workweek, and the burnout building beneath the surface.”
Key Findings:
Total national work hours rose 10.7% between Q1 2007 and Q4 2024, reaching 296.7 billion hours.
Texas experienced the largest increase in work hours since 2007, up 34%.
Other high-growth states include North Dakota (+31%), Utah (+29%), Idaho (+28%), and Arizona (+23%).
Five states saw declines in hours worked: New Mexico (–3%), Vermont (–3%), Alaska (–4%), West Virginia (–5%), and Wyoming (–6%).
The Top 10 States Where Americans Are Working the Most
Based on percentage growth in total cumulative hours worked from 2007 to 2024, these states lead the nation in labor intensity:
Rank
State
% Increase in Hours Worked
1
Texas
+34%
2
North Dakota
+31%
3
Utah
+29%
4
Idaho
+28%
5
Arizona
+23%
6
Florida
+22%
7
Georgia
+17%
8
South Carolina
+17%
9
North Carolina
+16%
10
Tennessee
+16%
In Sun Belt and Mountain West states, such as Texas, Florida, and Utah, population growth, booming industries, and labor shortages are driving up work demands. However, longer hours don’t always mean better jobs. Many gains come with burnout risks, inconsistent schedules, and unpaid overtime.
Why This Matters
The report uses total hours worked to measure the amount of labor being performed, not just the number of people working. This macro view reveals hidden burdens:
Workers covering multiple jobs or shifts
Employees stretched by understaffing
Remote workers tethered to their devices 24/7
Gig workers logging hours without benefits
What’s Driving the Increase?
Several economic pressures are driving Americans to work more than they did in the mid-2000s:
Stagnant wages: More hours are needed to cover basic costs.
Labor shortages: Fewer workers mean more shifts to fill.
Remote/hybrid models: Workdays often extend into evenings and weekends.
Rising cost of living: Many workers take on second jobs or freelance gigs.
Bottom 5 States Where Work Hours Declined
Rank
State
% Change
46
New Mexico
–3%
47
Vermont
–3%
48
Alaska
–4%
49
West Virginia
–5%
50
Wyoming
–6%
These states may reflect slower economic recoveries, aging populations, or shifts away from labor-intensive industries.
