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Tina Tran
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Is Your Job Making You Sick?

By February 16, 2009 - 7:00pm
 
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Last week we ran a story on how job losses can cause some pretty serious stress. And while those who stay on say they suffer some level of survivor's guilt, they are also facing another layer of stress in these tough economic times.

Apparently, workers are being asked to do more to compensate for a reduced staff. And additional work and work stress can contribute to a person's bad health just as much as a sedentary lifestyle and even smoking. According to an issue of the British Medical Journal, lack of on-the-job autonomy can double a person's risk for heart disease.

In addition, studies done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health say on-the-job stress can also lead to depression and musculoskeletal disorders.

One of the key recommendations when it comes to dealing with stress is strengthening your relationships which women are wonderful at doing. As much as you feel obligated to tend to your workload, it's OK to take a break during your work day to grab coffee or lunch with a friend or to volunteer. It's also very healthy.

Other ideas include honing organization skills, becoming more aggressive in terms of relating your wants or ideas or learning and practicing relaxation techniques.

Has a job or position ever made you physically ill? If so, how did you handle it?

Add a Comment2 Comments

Coach Virginia

There is nothing worse for your health than working in a field or for a company whose culture is against your personal believe system. I have experienced every level of work-related stress at different stages of my professional journey. But almost always I was able to depart on my terms as soon as I became aware of the toxicity I was getting exposed before my health was impacted. My body is wise and each time I have made a job move was right around the time I got unexplained hives. These went away as soon as I switched jobs or changed the pace (i.e not working long hours)

I have shifted career paths in more than one occasion to renew myself and find new challenges. I am doing this once again. The current job market is tough but even if I was offered a high paying job I would not go back to the same line of work. I am done with executive level work! I will not follow my head this time (money, position/title, etc) but my heart. Health and Wellness coaching is my passion and I look forward to completing my PhD in Natural Health to start my own practice.

February 17, 2009 - 12:01am

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alysiak

My DH and I have been on this global economic roller coaster more than once, the last time following 9/11. Even though we've BTDT, it's never easy to get through another round. It seems that, just when we feel stabilized, we get hit again.

Nonetheless, we've managed to get through it all. My DH, however, is not much of a survivor. I think he suffers the "breadwinner syndrome," a sort of depression from feeling inadequate, rejected, failure, etc. I'm left to keep the family going, and that's ridiculous pressure.

Are women really wonderful at strengthening their relationships? I'd like to know those women who are because I don't know any. The ones I know could only whine about not being able to get their hair or nails done (I'm not kidding).

I started running after 9/11, and that has been a terrific stress regulator.

February 16, 2009 - 8:15pm

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