Recently, a 35-year-old programmer from Zhejiang Province sparked heated discussions online after suffering a brain stem hemorrhage due to long-term sleep deprivation. On April 21st, the topic trended on social media platforms.
According to reports from Hai Bao News, the individual, Mr. Wu, is a resident of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, aged 35. In an interview on April 21st, he revealed that he only sleeps around 1 to 2 hours a day, wakes up around 7 a.m., and heads straight to work.
Mr. Wu mentioned that he currently earns a monthly salary of around 30,000 yuan, and his daughter is attending kindergarten. Following his illness, the burden of the household responsibilities now falls on his wife. He expressed his intention to consider setting up a stall in order to live a more fulfilling life.
This story quickly became a topic of debate on various online platforms.
Many netizens expressed their opinions, with some saying, “Running a stall is not as good as being a programmer.” “In fact, many people are like this, even worse than middle school students. Sometimes children also say they would really die.” “That’s why I don’t envy the high salaries of those big companies; it’s all earned at the cost of life!” “One person doing the work of five, causing four others to lose their jobs, and eventually sacrificing themselves.” “Who understands? I had a lot of white hair when I was only 28 years old before, now in my thirties, I dare not stay up late, I simply can’t do it.”
Others commented, “People don’t need to overspend, it’s better to have some money in your pocket for stability.” “Just like what my sister said yesterday, even if you work hard for a month earning 30,000, spend 30,000 on medical treatment, is it worth it? Why bother?” “Make some money, buy a small house with a yard in the countryside, plant some vegetables, raise a few chickens, dig a small fish pond, as long as you don’t get sick, occasionally do some odd jobs, money is never enough.”
However, in the current challenging job market in mainland China, many netizens also expressed that while they don’t want to work overtime, they feel they have no choice. Some even lamented, “I am willing to work, but unfortunately, I am not qualified.”
According to reports from the “Life Times” and others, staying up late or working overtime can disrupt the body’s natural balance, leading to various health issues. Studies published in “The Lancet” show that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of stroke by 35%. The latest data from the Chinese Medical Association also shows that there are up to 540,000 cases of sudden cardiac death in China every year, with 43% occurring in individuals under the age of 40.
Experts point out that long-term sleep deprivation can damage multiple systems in the body, including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, neuroendocrine system, digestive system, among others.
Experts recommend that after experiencing overtime and sleep deprivation, it is crucial to prioritize rest in the following days. Taking short naps to recharge energy, maintaining a nutritious diet rich in high-quality proteins, and ensuring adequate intake of vitamins are essential steps to recover and maintain good health.