Welcome back to The Factor. Uncensored studies show that working
age Americans are dying at a much higher rate than
those in other wealthy nations.
Licensed professional counselor, Doctor Ebony Blue joins us to discuss
the contributing factors that are out there.
Doctor Blue, that recent study that we both read,
indicate that American workers, average age American workers,
are dying younger. Why is that?
There's a myriad of reasons,
chronic stress, chronic disease, obesity,
heart health and also we've seen an increase in suicide
rates
as highlighted after the pandemic in our adolescents and in
our community.
So our mental health and the chronic stress is really
attributing to these
premature mortality rates that we're seeing reported in this study.
And when I look at some of the
answers that you provide, I would say 50%
would also be our responsibility and 50%
the employer. Are we seeing employees getting actively invested in
their employees to prevent things like this.
You know, honestly, the mortality rates highlight that we need
policy change not only in healthcare but systemically with our
employee,
our employers and with the employees.
Self-care, burnout, being able to go to therapy,
exercise, nutritional balance, all these things take time,
energy, effort and resources. And so if those resources aren't
provided by the employer,
then we're expecting these working Americans to be able to
find these resources on their own and then also to
be able to have the time and afford them.
So it is a team effort,
but I don't necessarily believe that all
corporate institutions are putting things in place that really care
genuinely about Americans health.
What I noticed Doctor Blue,
it was many of the young people,
Gen. Z ers, millennials,
they are interested in their own health and protecting themselves
from the old school way of working.
Like maybe me, my father,
my my grandparents. They're not interested in working like that.
They have terms like soft living.
Yes, soft life. Yes, soft life.
So, I mean, is that a sign that things could
improve with the next generation where they're not willing to
work themselves to death?
For sure. Millennials started the trend with quitting and work
environments that were conducive for their health moving from job
to job.
It was unheard of to just quit a job because
you were unhappy.
How dare you prioritize your emotional Wellness or your physical
Wellness over productivity?
But as we've seen, this transition from the millennials to
the other generations that are trailblazing,
that health is wealth. We cannot live to work,
we work to live and then we need other resources
outlets in order to have a fulfilling and sustainable life.
It's evident in the numbers.
After the pandemic Dr. Blue,
we saw many people, young people,
aren't old, satisfied with their jobs because they had been
given the option to work remotely.
And a lot of people were under a lot less
stress as a result of that.
But many companies are now saying,
look, it's time to get your ass back in the
office.
You know, we understand you had your little break.
You're you're remote working, you're quiet quitting,
but now it's time to get back to work.
And then you find people once again frustrated on the
job.
What would be your best advice if if you're just
unhappy with your job,
no matter what the what your employer will do for
you.
If you're unhappy with your job,
My best advice is 1 to go to therapy and
talk through what your transitional process would look like to
invest into your own education and skills.
And that if you found your health and Wellness was
better in a remote environment,
that you had a better work life balance,
then that particular work environment is toxic to you and
can kill you.
So in essence, if you find an environment that's more
conducive for your health,
it will increase your income and your wealth and longevity
of your life span.
It's life or death. Literally.
Absolutely. And once again, for those who may be going
through exactly what the study indicated,
you're killing yourself on the job.
What would be your first piece of advice?
That those who may be older workers before they get
to that point of no return and and lose their
life over a job?
Structurally, I would look into what is in place within
your employee
HR department as far as leave,
medical leave, disability leave and accommodations in the workplace.
There need to be more conversations about adults who are
at that point of no return and truly how their
job is impacting their health.
Once you find out what's available to you as far
as your resources,
looking at those transferable skills,
especially in the remote and digital space where we don't
necessarily have to discriminate on age,
we could look at skill set and ability.
It's never too late to transition to find other ways
to utilize your skills and to have an environment that
doesn't have to harm your Wellness inside or emotionally.
All right, Doctor Anthony Blue,
always good to see you here on The Factor uncensored.
Great job and we appreciate your expertise and your advice
to those who are teetering on the edge in the
American workforce.
Thank you.