The physical effects of having a bad job

While some people are lucky enough to find jobs they love and find fulfilling, many others go to jobs they don’t like. In fact, some of these jobs have stressful environments and toxic workplace rules. You might dread Mondays knowing that you’ll have to head back to work, which can cause your quality of life to plummet. If you’re working in one of these types of roles, you might begin to notice the physical effects of having a bad job.

If you’ve been thinking about quitting your bad job, you may find that doing so is better for your health. Check out these physical effects to see what your job might be costing you.

Increased risk of illness

It might not be a coincidence if you’ve been getting sick more often since you started working at a job you dislike. In fact, the stress of having a job you hate can impact your immune system. Stress caused by looming deadlines or a difficult relationship with co-workers can impact your ability to stay healthy.

Chronic stress is linked to fatigue, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Not only are you getting sick, but you might even start missing out on pay because you have to take days off. If you aren’t sure if your bad job is taking a toll on your physical health, start tracking how frequently you get sick.

“Stress caused by looming deadlines or a difficult relationship with co-workers can impact your ability to stay healthy.”

Weight gain

Having a bad job can lead to weight gain, even if you aren’t sitting at a desk all day. A bad job might decrease your motivation to work out due to exhaustion or stress, and it can also lead to stress eating.

If you have to work long hours each day, you might not want to cook dinner for yourself, and you may find it easier to simply order high-calorie foods after work rather than eat nutritious meals. Even if you’re exercising or walking each day, high stress levels can speed up weight gain, which makes some aspects of life more difficult.

Chronic pain

If you’re overworked, you aren’t alone. Many people who feel overworked experience chronic pain, no matter the physical extent of their work. People who sit or stand for long periods of time may complain about back problems, fatigue, and leg cramps. If you aren’t able to change positions often, you may experience ongoing pain. You can combat some of the physical effects of having a bad job by getting a desk that can transition into a standing desk to help you move more and change positions throughout the day.

Depression and anxiety

A stressful job is much more than a slight annoyance. If you are required to show up to a job you hate for eight to 12 hours per day, it can impact your mental health. When you’re in an environment that increases your stress level, you’re at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. You may find less joy in your daily life, which can impact your relationships. Even if you get treatment for anxiety or depression, your job could prevent you from seeing growth.

Respiratory issues

Many people don’t realize that the environment they work in could have poor air quality. Poor air quality is not abnormal in some environments, including offices. In fact, working in an office can lead to a variety of respiratory symptoms, including a sore throat and coughing. Your workplace could even exacerbate your asthma. If your workplace doesn’t have windows you can open, you may be at higher risk for respiratory issues and related illnesses.

Heart disease

Stress, low physical activity, and having little time for yourself can contribute to heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, and a bad job could be putting you at higher risk. If a job is causing you to experience cardiac issues, it may no longer be worth the pay.

What is a bad job?

Identifying a bad job may be difficult. For instance, you might have a job that pays very well, but the conditions might not be worth your salary. If you think about quitting your job every day or feel that your employer or co-workers are mistreating you, you might have a bad job.

The direct relationship between your job and your health

Your work affects your health, and not just on a short-term basis. A bad job can have a lasting impact on your life. If you find that your work is stressful, ensure that you’re balancing the worth of what you’re doing with the physical impact it’s having on your well-being. If you dread going to work each day and find it to be detrimental to most aspects of your life, it may be time to find a job that doesn’t impact you this way.

When you’re ready to start looking for a new job, create a profile on CareerBuilder so employers can find you. When you make a profile, you can start interviewing with new companies and leave your bad job behind.