We need to bear in mind that much of this subject is relative. Many of my working mom friends have told me that they could never stay home with lots of young kids, 24/7 - but I manage it (relatively!) ok and also work part-time from home. But then again, I know people who adore nursing and I'd have a stroke if I had to look at wounds or put needles in people's arms. One woman's stressor is another's de-stressor!
Workplace stress takes a huge toll on our health and personal lives. All jobs contain a certain amount of stress. The World Heath Organization named work stress as a "worldwide epidemic" and it manifests itself in bad health, difficult or broken relationships, poor mental health, parenting problems and financial concerns.
There are some fields, however that (with obvious exceptions) are extremely stressful and others are more serene.
Among the most stressful, according to Associated Content:
Air traffic controller
Law enforcement
Fire fighting
Teaching
Medicine
Social service
Customer Service
IT (whoulda thunk?)
Engineering
HR
Clerical
While one can immediately understand how law enforcement is stressful - how can a clerical job also fit that description? Much of it is handling complaints and having to do it while suppressing your own emotions. A customer service rep may sit on the phone all day - easy, right? Not when customers yell, use profanity and get personal - even issuing threats.
Social services suspect abuse on children and others every day, and sometimes can do little to stop it. Even when they can stop it, they deal with the victims and witness the trauma. Not a pleasant way to spend 40 hours a week.
Fire fighters are depended on to save lives, and face danger and death every day - it's not just in their job description; it IS their job description.
So what are jobs that are considered less stressful? According to Hot Jobs, you may want to look at a career in
Preschool teaching
Pastry chef
Massage therapy
Nursing assistant
Accountant
Graphic Design.
Some, like massage therapy, make sense. But preschool teaching?! Well, as a mother of 3 tots, I once asked my eldest's preschool teachers how they manage with the noise, the...insanity! And they all said they loved it! And had each other for support and despite some ups and downs, they found it immensely rewarding. I was happy to hear it. They, on the other hand, had no idea how I did it - being home with kids all the time. "At least we get to have nights and weekends off," they said. True enough, I suppose but I still think handling a dozen feisty 3-year old takes a special talent.
Tell Us
Do these stressful and less stressful careers make sense to you? Do YOU have a stressful job? How do you manage it? What job would you love and would consider less stressful than average?