Work and Your Mental Health
A recent survey showed that 83% of US workers reported experiencing work-related stress. It’s normal to occasionally feel under pressure at work. However, if your job creates tension more often than not, it might be time to evaluate if this is the right workplace for you.
You dread going to work. If you find yourself constantly dissatisfied, losing sleep at night due to work-related anxiety or dreading every moment of the workday, it may be time to move on.
The environment is unhealthy. Some examples include negative behaviors from coworkers, controlling management, dishonest business practices, harassment and more. If you’ve tried addressing the issues but they’ve continued, this may not be the place for you.
You feel overworked and underpaid. A gap between your workload and your compensation can create both mental health and real life burdens. A new opportunity might offer better pay for your skillset.
Work has made fulfilling other responsibilities difficult. Work-life balance is important to your happiness, long-term productivity and health. No time for family, to enjoy hobbies or engage in self-care? Take a step back and evaluate how much time you really want to spend working.
The job does not support your long-term goals. Work is a vehicle for achieving your lifelong dreams like pursuing travel, buying a home or starting a family. If you feel stuck in a job that doesn’t, it may take a while to find work that aligns with these goals, but it’s never too early to start searching.
Your health has declined. Are sick days adding up, or are you working so much you’ve neglected sleep and exercise? No job is worth sacrificing your wellbeing.
Finally, remember that your job should bring more positivity than negativity into your life. If this is not the case, it may be time to consider exploring your options.
