You shouldn't work any more hours than this a day, according to science

The magic number has been revealed

We always had an inkling that working overtime was actually counterproductive, and now thanks to a bit of science and some nifty reporting by editors at Inc.com there's proof.

According to research gathered by Inc.com, working more than 10 hours a day is associated with a 60% increase in risk of cardiovascular problems and working more than 40 hours a week is directly linked to a jump in alcohol consumption and smoking.

People who work between 50 and 60 hours a week report relationship problems and those working more than 11 hours overtime are more likely to suffer from depression.

Putting in unnecessary hours can lead to disrupted sleep, a loss in appetite and increased stress.

With this in mind, recent figures from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) show that the amount of overtime we’re working is truly shocking.

In fact, the excess hours we work actually add up to cancel out – or even exceed – our annual holiday entitlement.

The Quality of Working Life study surveyed 1,574 managers and found that the majority – 77% - work at least one hour extra each day, adding up to 29 extra days over the course of the year.

With most people in the country receiving an average holiday entitlement of 28 days, that means that all those extra ‘I’m leaving in a minute’ hours in the office actually cancels out – and even exceeds – your annual leave.

The study also found that up to 10% of people put in more than three extra hours a day, which is the equivalent of working a 15-month year.

On top of this, new research has found that working from home can actually lead to increased productivity and make you far happier in the long run.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider your work/life balance?