6 ways your job may be hurting your health
Find out how working too much can make you sick—and what you can do about it.
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When you’re unhappy at work, it doesn’t just influence your job performance. It can seep out into the rest of your life, and even damage your mental and physical health. In a 2019 survey from Mental Health America, two-thirds of respondents said problems at the workplace negatively affected their sleep. Another half reported they took up unhealthy behaviors to deal with the stress of their jobs.
And that was before the COVID-19 forced a sea change in the American workplace. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2021 Work and Well-being Survey, which took place a year after the pandemic began, 59 percent of respondents were affected by job-related stress during the prior month. Participants reported feeling physical exhaustion, lack of motivation, fatigue, and difficulty focusing while on the job.
Institutional changes like improved work-life balance and better benefits may be the answer to some job-related health issues. But there are other steps you can take to protect yourself.
Here are some ways your job may be doing a number on your well-being—and what you can do about it.
Sources: American Psychological Association. The American workforce faces compounding pressure. Page accessed on August 3 + 17
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