Is Your Job Hurting Your Health?

A job does a lot of things, but making you unhealthier never seems like one of them. Sure, you feel a little stressed after a hard day at the office, but that’s natural. Carving out a successful career isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Still, there are levels to a toxic job that is causing your body harm. When the tension is too much, for instance, it may boil over and cause a breakdown. This is undoubtedly harmful. Of course, understanding what you can ensure and what is too much isn’t straightforward. In a perfect world, your career would make you a happier, healthier person.

If it isn’t, and if you’re worried about the consequences, the best tool at your disposal is awareness. Anyone who can spot the symptoms of an unhealthy job has a better chance of making changes to limit the damage.

Here are the four main signs for your information.

You Never Finish on Time

Working overtime has its advantages. Let’s face it – sometimes, you need the extra money to make it through the month. Putting in more hours gives you breathing space when the bills arrive on your doorstep. But, overtime isn’t without harmful side-effects. Always being at the office means you’re less likely to relax when you do finally clock out. Also, the regular work grind can lead to the blues and depression.

To tell whether you work too much, you should analyze why you don’t finish on time. Anyone who requires the money has to make a choice, yet some people do it for free. It may only be ten or fifteen minutes, but it adds up over a year. Another sign is the lack of paid or unpaid vacation leave. The US is the only industrialized nation in the world where there is no legal right to annual leave.

Remember that, if you do have vacation entitlement, you should take them and not receive them as paid.

You Can’t Hear Conversations Properly

Hearing loss occurs more than you may imagine. Some workspaces are obvious contenders, such as construction sites, whereas others are more subtle. You can experience tinnitus or a buzzing in your ears if there is too much background noise in the office. And, the effects are apparent from the outset.

Aside from impacting your ability to interact with colleagues, loud workplaces will stop you from listening and joining in with friends, family members, and loved ones. Although a little hearing loss may not seem overly destructive, it can lead to feelings of loneliness. When you can’t hear properly, you can’t interact the same way, and your social life isn’t as fulfilling. A telltale sign is a slight ringing in your ears, no matter how small. Also, don’t underestimate the effects of loud music and machinery.

Useful-yet-basic pieces of equipment are earplugs. They drown out the sounds so that you can maintain your hearing and focus on your job.

You’re Always Sat Down

Sitting down is more than accepting a life of bad posture. Posture is important because slouching can cause back pain, and the back is the worst part of the body to injure. It’s very complicated and tough to repair. However, even worse is the fact that office life encourages you to adopt a sedentary routine.

After work, the idea of exercising or preparing healthy meals won’t appeal because you’ve been sitting on a chair staring at a screen for seven hours. Instead, most people prefer to collapse on the sofa and order takeout food.

A standing desk will boost the circulation to your muscles and major organs, making you happier and improving your energy levels. If a standing desk isn’t an option, you should make an effort to take breaks and walk around the office.

The Commute Is Long

A long commute is something you can’t fix. Not every job will be a ten-minute walk from your home, and it’s not as if you can turn down an offer because you don’t want to drive or ride the bus. So, what are your options?

The trick is to transform your commute into the most productive time of the day. You can do this by leaving the car at home and walking or cycling to the office. As well as sneaking in your daily exercise, the walk will clear your mind and strengthen your mental health. Reading is a fantastic way to pass time while reducing stress buildup.

Is your job hurting your health? Does your career force you to experience any of the features on this list?