How a toxic job can harm your health

Everybody has bad days at work, but what if those days just keep coming at you and start to affect your health?

Stress can manifest in physical, mental or physiological ways - to put it simply, it can change the way you think, feel, behave and even affect the way your body react.

With many reports discussing the effects and trends of burnout - a serious health condition leading to extreme exhaustion, it is now time to take a look if your job is causing any ill effects to your health.

By recognising the symptoms early, you can start making changes or solutions to get out of your current situation.

1. Sleep

How much sleep do you get in a night? Are you able to sleep all through, or do you get up many times a night?

Getting good rest is vital for your whole body as it allows it to perform bodily functions optimally.

Observe if you are unable to sleep because your mind is racing with thoughts or if you keep rethinking back all the things you did or did not do at work.

You need to stop, put it aside, and rest. Work is never done - we have to accept that. So, when it is time to get rest and sleep, you should take the time to do so.

2. Muscle aches

With lack of sleep, your body does not get enough time to rest and repair, as such it can lead to aches.

When your muscles are unable to relax, it stays tense and knotted up. Feel any neck or backaches recently? Or how about a clenched jaw?

Notice those signs when you are working, speaking to colleagues or boss, and replying e-mails. When are these symptoms coming up?

Take the time to exercise to loosen those muscles or a warm bath to soothe those nerves.

If not, it may turn into a more serious condition like chronic headaches or carpal tunnel syndrome.

3. Mental health

Are you always worried and dreaded going to work? Or do you think tomorrow will be the day you get fired?

If your thoughts are filled with negativity and your sense of purpose is going down, take a break and address these feelings.

Your outlook in life should not become bleak due to a bad job environment. You don't have to feel stuck as there are many ways out of it.

Assess your job situation - is it a bad job skills fit, unsuitable environment or wrong office culture?

Reach out to your trusted colleagues or boss to address the pain points at work and get advice on how to ameliorate the situation.

You don't have to stay in a job where your skills and knowledge are not put to good use. You can always find ways to plug the skills gaps or look for more job opportunities.

Putting your mental health at risk does not benefit you or your company.

4. Sick and tired

Being sick and tired opens up your body to be vulnerable to many diseases and illnesses.

Moreover, being sick can also cost you more with doctor's visits and medication.

With a sluggish mind and ill health, you won't be able to perform your best.

Your health is most valuable and being in tip-top shape should be your utmost priority.

5. Appetite and digestive issues

Stress can cause you to feel sick in the stomach and further lead to issues such as indigestion, constipation, bloating and appetite changes.

According to health reports, stress can impact our gut bacteria and in turn, affect our mood - causing us to be moody and unhappy.

Stress can also cause your appetite to disappear or even go haywire, and you end up losing or gaining weight.

When your body is not getting adequate nutrition and having an increase in stomach acid due to stress, it can affect your whole body and cause you to become sick.

Your health should not be compromised for the sake of your job.

If you experience such symptoms, take a break or assess your situation.

Should the issue be your job, then look for new opportunities. If your job is not working out, you don't need to stick to it.

Greener pastures are always there, just take a search online or reach out to your friends.

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