Holiday Health Hazard: Overtime

You're busy with shopping, socializing and holiday preparation, not to mention the end-of-year craziness at the office. But don't work too hard -- you could get hurt, say experts at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Allard E. Dembe and colleagues found that people who worked overtime at any job, from secretary to truck driver, were 61% more likely to sustain a work-related injury such as back pain than those who worked their regular hours. Why? Extra hours are exhausting. And when you're tired, you're vulnerable to accidents. To stay safe, avoid overtime now, when holiday commitments take up your free time. Get lots of sleep and keep stress under control. If you can't cut back at work, take breaks as needed.