How Many People Work Doubles? A Look at the World’s Most Exhausted Workforce
It’s early.
The kind of early that doesn’t feel like nighttime so much as the end of a chapter.
I just worked a 14-hour double shift, and my body is humming…not in the good way. In the “my knees feel like gravel” kind of way.
I’m exhausted, a little dazed, and a little curious.
How many people in the world live like this?
How many of us are stringing together shifts, juggling jobs, sacrificing sleep for survival?
Turns out: a lot more than you’d think.
Millions of People, One Hustle
Across the globe, tens of millions of people are working more than one job, or working one job like it’s two.
In the U.S. alone:
As of 2024, over 8.1 million Americans work multiple jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
That’s about 5% of the workforce
The numbers climb even higher for women and people of color
But this isn’t just an American story.
In South Korea, “gapjil” culture means workers often stay late to show loyalty. In Nigeria, side hustles are a way of life. In Japan, karōshi (death from overwork) is a recognized term.
We live in a world where the cost of living outpaces wages, and ambition gets tangled up in survival.
Why So Many People Work Multiple Jobs
The reasons are layered, nuanced, and sometimes gutting:
1. The Math Doesn’t Math
Rent, groceries, gas, health insurance. It adds up…fast. And for many people, one paycheck doesn’t cover the basics, let alone dreams.
2. Gig Economy Life
Uber, Instacart, Fiverr, DoorDash. These platforms offer flexibility, but at the cost of stability. Many workers supplement their main income with late-night side gigs.
3. Dream Chasing
Some of us work doubles because the second job is the dream: the art, the writing, the building. The thing we’re hoping will one day set us free.
4. Caregiving + Bills
Others work two jobs because they’re supporting parents, kids, or extended family. Love is expensive. So is being the responsible one.
What It Does to the Body
You know this already. I do too. But here’s what the science says:
Sleep Deprivation: Chronic fatigue impairs memory, immune function, and mood.
Muscle and Joint Pain: Long hours on your feet (or stuck at a desk) create tension, inflammation, and long-term wear.
Stress Hormones: Cortisol levels stay elevated, contributing to weight gain, anxiety, and even cardiovascular disease.
Digestive Issues: Irregular meals, rushed eating, and stress affect gut health.
And yet, we show up. Again. And again.
Because we have to. Or because we’re building something. Or both.
What It Does to the Mind
Working doubles doesn’t just tire your body, it starts to blur your identity. You become a function. A worker. A name on a schedule. And some days, you forget who you were before the shift started.
The mental health toll is real:
Burnout
Irritability
Emotional numbing
Loss of joy
A sense of invisibility
There’s also a quiet pride in it…something no spreadsheet can measure.
A Small Act of Recovery
If you’ve just worked a double and your muscles are screaming, this is the thing I swear by:
Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution – Lavender Scent
Add two cups to a hot bath. Let the magnesium soothe your bones. Let the lavender hold your nervous system. You deserve more, but this is a start.
I also use this deep tissue massager for my feet and knees after.
Who Works the Most? A Global Glimpse
It’s not evenly distributed. Across the world, certain groups bear the brunt:
Women, especially single mothers
Immigrants, often doing labor-intensive work across time zones
Service industry workers, where double shifts are normalized (it’s me!)
Teachers, many of whom tutor or take seasonal side gigs
Artists and creatives, working nights to fund their passions
And then there’s everyone quietly doing the invisible labor at home after their “real job” ends.
When you’re always working, weeks blur together. This piece explores how stress and routine warp our sense of time, and how to anchor ourselves again in moments that matter.
What Recovery Really Looks Like
No, it’s not a face mask and a candle (though those don’t hurt).
It’s:
Hydrating after a shift instead of pouring wine
Laying with your feet up the wall for 10 minutes before bed
Eating something with actual nutrients instead of vending machine regret
Saying “no” to the seventh shift in a row, even if it makes your stomach twist
Letting someone take care of you for once
Recovery isn’t a luxury. It’s the fuel for your next round. And if no one else is reminding you to take it, let this be your sign.
What Keeps Us Going
You can’t study the overworked without seeing their strength.
The mother working two jobs to send her daughter to college
The immigrant driving Uber all night to launch a business
The restaurant worker holding it together on five hours of sleep
You, with your aching knees and your big dreams and your full heart
You’re not just surviving. You’re scaffolding something.
After the noise, this spice might be your new ritual. Add a few crushed pods to tea, close your eyes, and let your nervous system come back to center. A small act of softness in a hard world.
A Message for the One Who Just Got Off a Double
Maybe it’s 1 a.m.
Maybe your socks are damp.
Maybe you’re wondering if this version of life was what you signed up for.
Maybe not.
But also…maybe this is a chapter, not the book.
Maybe you’re working two jobs because you haven’t given up.
Because you still believe in a better version of life.
Because you still have something to give the world.
And that? That’s beautiful.
Even if it hurts.
Even if it’s heavy.
Even if no one says thank you.
Where Do We Go From Here?
We can’t romanticize burnout. But we can honor it.
We can name it.
We can talk about it.
We can build systems that respect the people who hold them up.
And in the meantime, we can rest.
Not just sleep…but real rest.
The kind that says:
I am more than what I produce.
I am more than a shift.
I am still a person beneath the uniform.
You’re Not Alone in This Hustle
If you’re working doubles, juggling side gigs, or just barely holding on…I see you. This post is for you. For your tired feet and your brilliant brain and your soft heart that still dares to hope.
You are not lazy.
You are not late.
You are doing what you need to do.
But don’t forget: your body is not infinite.
It needs time.
And magnesium.
And warmth.
And a little bit of grace.
The world may run on hustle.
But you?
You deserve rest.
