Hating your job puts a toll on your body more than you know. It’s emotional, mental, and even physical. Not loving what you’re doing can even compromise your health. These are just some of the factors that can affect your health if you hate your job.
Hating your job can weaken your immune system.
It’s commonly thought that workplace stress comes from being too busy at work or working too many hours, but researchers have found out that stress can stem from a different work-related condition. Workplace stress comes from being in a near-constant state of negative affect, or feeling bad most of the time at the office.
If you work really hard, but feel appreciated at work and see your efforts paying off, you’re not as likely to become stressed. On the other hand, if you’re being treated badly, or if nothing you do at work is ever recognized, and you spend your workdays in a permanent state of frustration, worry and depression, you can become stressed even if you only work 30 hours a week. It is also proven that workplace stress harms the immune system and increases the risk of depression.
Hating your job also directly increases your risk of contracting dangerous diseases. One study of more than 20,000 U.S. nurses found that the nurses who were unhappy at work had a higher risk of contracting serious diseases like certain forms of cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
Hating your job can make you gain weight, the unhealthy way.
If you dislike your job and see yourself gaining weight slowly, it is because the two are directly correlated. Many studies have shown that an unhappy work life robs you of the energy you need to exercise and make good dietary choices.
After a long, frustrating day at work, a tub of ice cream probably seems more appealing than going for a jog in the park.
It can deprive you of precious hours of sleep.
It’s common knowledge that consistently sleeping a full eight hours does wonders for the human body. The restorative work done while bodies are at rest cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, people who are miserable at work often find it harder to fall asleep. You’ve probably been there: lying awake, staring at the ceiling, hypnotized by the ticking of the clock. If your dissatisfaction for your job prevents you from sleeping properly, then it is indeed unhealthy for you.
You need to take action if you don’t like your job anymore. It’s always good to look for a new one, and follow the old saying: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
However, you might be feeling pinned to your job. Sometimes you can’t leave it because you need it. Here are some tips you can follow so you can still stay mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy even when you’re stuck with your current job.
- Find activities outside of work that can give you a sense of fulfillment.
One thing you can do to cope with a difficult job is to make sure that your life outside of work is fulfilling. Having additional bad vibes outside of work can just make you more miserable than you should be. If your work drains the life out of you, then you need to find balance by engaging in activities that make you feel alive.
While it’s impossible for a frustrating work situation to have no impact on your life outside of the office, it’s important to do your best to find gratitude for all of the great gifts that are already present in your life. That sense of appreciation can be the fuel that motivates you to drive through the twists and turns of your career path.
- Make the most of your free time.
It’s important to maximize any breaks and utilize them as an employee should. It serves as a way for you to refresh yourself. Instead of sitting at your desk during breaks, go out and take a walk. Go to a coffee shop and enjoy your favorite drink or pastry. Try to manipulate your environment to change your internal world.
If that’s not enough to shake up your routine, then add in some quick yoga or meditation. Taking time to get centered and process emotions that come up during a frustrating day can cut down on the amount of frustration you take home.
- Determine if you’re over-invested or under-valued.
If you’re giving your job everything you have and your superiors aren’t appreciating your value, it’s time to reassess. Taking pride in going the extra mile won’t be helpful to your long-term well-being if there’s no mobility in your employment. This is especially true when you’re doing something that’s not enjoyable.
Many cultures in this globalized economy revolve around work. When your occupation plays a central role in your life and your identity, it impacts your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. More often than not, the money or stability of your position isn’t worth the negativity it brings.
- Contemplate on the barriers preventing you from leaving work
Sometimes the possible rewards for looking elsewhere outweigh the risks. The more information you gather, the more power you have in making an intelligent decision. Consider if you’re really at the best job that pays the best. If the answer is yes, then consider that as something that can lift your spirit up. If the answer is no, then it probably is best to look around for a better job.
- Develop a plan that works for your unique needs.
Whether you begin the search for a new position or stay put in your current situation, you need to formulate a plan. Either reach out to a professional for additional information or figure out how you can make your current tasks more meaningful. Changing your mindset about things and setting up plans for your own self-development can help greatly when dealing with stress.
- Trust your own process.
Don’t be discouraged easily. Trust in your own process even when you don’t see an immediate outcome. They say that sometimes, what you fear isn’t the unknown, but the known coming to an end. No matter where you are, whether you’re stuck in a job you don’t like or if you’re unemployed looking for a job, you need to trust that what you are doing can have positive results.
- Keep your eyes on the prize.
Set your eyes on the results you’ve been searching for. The moment you steer your eyes away from your goal, you can become distracted. You may tend to undo those things you’ve done so far. It is always good to think about the results of something if you’ve put the necessary effort in. If you want to find a job or create a life that you’ve always wanted, you better keep your eyes set on the prize always.