—
While we all hope to have jobs that we enjoy and fulfill us, even if they’re not perfect day in and day, unfortunately, this isn’t the reality that many of us enjoy throughout our careers. In some cases, our jobs can become so stressful, de-motivating, and simply unhealthy that we struggle not only to stay focused and productive in the workplace but also to drag ourselves there at all.
Sometimes, positions become so untenable that we feel ill at the thought of going to work and unwell when we’re there. These issues can impact us both physically and emotionally. If you dread each workday, thinking about making a change is important. First, identify the signs that your job is making you sick, and then find ways to proceed more positively.
More Mental Health Concerns
One of the most prominent signs that your role is harming you is when you find that your mental health is rapidly declining. Do you struggle to stop thinking about work after hours, on weekends, and when you’re taking some time off? Do you find switching off and enjoying your free time almost impossible? Do you constantly feel stressed, no matter what, and have a feeling of dread that you can’t seem to shake?
You might also realize that you’re starting to develop or have a condition that you feel is caused by or exacerbated by your career, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or other mental health concerns. Alternatively, you might be struggling to handle a mental health issue you’ve combatted in the past but has returned since your work struggles began or worsened.
Gastrointestinal Troubles
How has your stomach been feeling lately, and have you been having any gastrointestinal troubles? If so, your job may be the reason. Our stomachs can alert us to our roles making us ill if we keep having problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and indigestion. These things can arise when our bodies are most vulnerable, such as when we’re dealing with high levels of stress or conflict.
Other gastrointestinal signs that your job is making you sick are if you have lost your appetite a lot or find you’re eating a lot more than you usually would. Our gut health gets affected and can cause digestion problems and a loss of good gut bacteria (not to mention the increase in bad bacteria) when we have a lot of stress we can’t manage.
Persistent Headaches
Another sign of a bad work situation is if you’re getting persistent headaches when you usually don’t have to deal with this pain, or at least not regularly. Headaches often arise due to stress and tension causing our muscles to tense and seize up. Often, this is because we either consciously or unconsciously feel we’re in some kind of danger and need to guard our mind and body against injury.
If you’re having chronic back, neck, head, or shoulder pain that leads to migraines, tension headaches, and the like, consider if your work is the cause of it.
Other signs to look for include lethargy and fatigue, becoming more susceptible to illness and struggling to get over sickness, moodiness, insomnia, and nightmares, among other things.
Ideas for How to Proceed If Your Job is Making You Sick
If you’re having some of the abovementioned signs, it’s time to take action. The longer you feel unwell because of your career, the worse your health can get, and the more you can suffer in many ways. Start by speaking with your boss to see if they can help alleviate some of the issues you’re having in the workplace.
They might be able to help resolve conflict, address your safety concerns, take some of the workload off you, or help you get the training you need to do your job with less stress. If things have gotten really bad in your workplace, with consistent bullying, abuse, or other mental and physical safety concerns, you may even need to talk with a lawyer about your options if speaking with your manager doesn’t fix anything.
You may need to hire a Clearwater injury lawyer or a personal injury attorney in New York City, Seattle, Cleveland, or wherever else you’re based to obtain advice on how best to proceed, especially if you’ve suffered so much emotional or physical distress that you can no longer work.
Chatting with a mental health professional about your concerns can help you, too, as can being vigilant about not working more hours than you’re paid for. You might also like to consider a career change. Perhaps a lot of the problem stems from the fact that you’re in a role or an industry you really don’t like, and you won’t be able to fix how you’re feeling until you work in a different area, role, or even for a different company.
No matter what has caused your current situation, if your job is making you sick, it’s time to be proactive and find ways to address it ASAP.
—
