Occupational Control May Boost Heart Health

According to a report in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, professionals who enjoy a good amount of occupational control find themselves at lower risk for cardiovascular disaster. Whilst those who answer to one, two, three or more supervisors often feel overwhelmed by pressure, people who make most of their own daily work decisions live life with less stress.

No doubt everyone experiences work anxiety from time to time, and anyone in a power position has all kinds of worries to contend with. Not only that, but managers, supervisors, and entrepreneurs have few to blame if things go poorly. However, it seems that the amount of stress is less relevant to heart health than a person’s ability to cope. Naturally, anyone with enough control to navigate through turbulent waters their own way will feel more secure about the future.

Among those with the highest risk for heart attack were workers with little control and a lot of psychological demand. Examples are waiters, telephone operators, fire fighters, and sales clerks. Those with more control and healthier heart records were nearly all professionals with management-level positions.

When you consider the benefits of operating your own franchise, health might not be the first concern that leaps to mind, but heart wellness is certainly no benefit to ignore. Have you been suffering from stress imposed by others? Consider that climbing the corporate ladder to attain the kind of power you are looking for can take years or even decades. Fortunately, franchisees take the lead immediately, and so can you!

Here’s to your heart.

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 56, 334