Skipping lunch, working past midnight, no leaves: Mumbai nutritionist on how work culture causes health risks in 40s

Striking the perfect work-life balance has always been a debatable topic. In India, the corporate world demands hustle, working beyond designated hours, and always being on your toes. Employees, in a bid to climb the ladder of success, forget to check on their health and devote all their time to the company. But what initially appears harmless can turn into serious health scares later, as pointed out by Mumbai-based nutritionist Sanya Wadhera in her latest X post.

As per Sanya Wadhera, the corporate culture in India tends to reward behaviours that are, in reality, deeply damaging: people who skip meals due to workload, stay on their laptops till midnight and never take a leave despite being physically or emotionally unwell. But these are the exact factor that leads to their collapse when they turn 40.

Hustle culture or health hazard

Sanya Wadhera pointed out that patterns like employees taking pride, not using a single leave in a year and routinely eating lunch at their desks while replying to emails, are often mistaken for dedication. Similarly, managers sending late-night emails and expecting prompt responses contribute to poor boundaries and disrupted sleep, which becomes the norm. The widely accepted idea that the ‘last person to leave the office wins’ further reinforces a culture where exhaustion is worn as a badge of honour.



Sanya Wadhera, however, highlighted that these habits come at a great cost as regularly skipping meals affects digestion, leading to chronic conditions, while inadequate rest and prolonged stress impact mental and physical health. Over time, the body begins to normalise this imbalance, making symptoms like fatigue, acidity, and anxiety seem routine rather than alarming.

Wake-up call for professionals

Backing her concerns with data, Sanya Wadhera noted that several employees experience work-related burnout and many also struggle with mental health issues. There has also been a sharp increase in heart-related issues at a younger age among professionals when compared to their global counterparts, indicating a growing health crisis linked to lifestyle and work patterns.



Sanya Wadhera, in conclusion, underscored a harsh reality: those who sacrifice their health for jobs are often the easiest to replace. While organisations move on quickly, the long-term consequences are borne by individuals and their families. Emphasising the need to change the narrative, the nutritionist recommended celebrating sleep, boundaries and sustainable productivity instead of overwork.