Work Issues: 10 Ways your job is ruining your life

Angela Goh 19 Aug 2016 updated the Friday, August 19, 2016

1/10
The commute to work is crazy
A 2014 study done in the UK has found that commuting to work makes people unhappy and anxious, particularly if one’s journey takes more than 30 minutes by bus. If your commute requires you catch several buses or trains, you might end up having to fork out plenty of travel money each week as well. Of course, sometimes, we just have no choice but to survive the daily journey to and from the office, but if the stress of fighting peak hour congestion starts to get to you, it’s time to find a job in a more easily accessible location.
2/10
You aren’t getting enough sleep
If your deadlines are keeping you up late at night, if you are constantly on call 24/7, or if you just have so much on your mind that you just can't settle down enough for a solid 8-hour snooze, your job might end up seriously impacting on your health. Lack of sleep and chronic exhaustion usually go hand-in-hand with tough jobs and this can affect your mood and cause hormonal imbalances, and eventually could lead to depression.
3/10
Your colleagues are a nightmare to work with
Okay, we've all encountered difficult people before. But if one or more of your co-workers are impossible to work with, you might end up hating any and all interaction with them at work. See if there are ways you can make the situation better, be it a serious discussion to resolve your issues, or a contingency plan that allows for minimal interaction between you guys. Of course, if this goes on for a period of months, you might want to bring it up with your superior.
4/10
Your job is terribly boring
It’s possible for a job to be so boring that it literally fries your brain cells. Boredom at work can actually lead to serious consequences. There have been cases where people have sought counselling help just to be able to get out of bed each morning because of the dull, repetitive and unfulfilling work waiting for them at the office. Some people resort to alcoholism or other addictions. In order for you not to fall into a pit of dark depression, it may be worth considering quitting your current job and seeking a more challenging position elsewhere.
5/10
Lack of exercise
Sitting at a desk for hours on end each and every day is bound to take its toll on your physical wellbeing and possibly make you much less fit than if you had a job that required you to move around more. Obesity rates are climbing and the general consensus of the medical community is that a 40-hour work week for those stuck doing desk-bound jobs are more prone to weight gain.
6/10
Poor air quality
If the ventilation and air conditioning in your office is subpar, you may be subjecting yourself to hours of poor air quality each day. Sharing an office usually means you won’t have total control over the temperature of the air conditioning - it might be much too cold for you (or too hot). You don’t want to be stuck in the same building, suffering the same frigid temperature, for months or years. What’s more, recirculated air could be bad for your lungs, so be sure to step outside the office once in awhile.
7/10
You’re constantly skipping breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, many people rush through breakfast each morning by grabbing the first thing they see before heading out the door. Most don’t even make time for breakfast, or pick up something unhealthy on the way to work to polish off at the desk. One way to fix this would be to get up a little earlier to fix a well-balanced meal before the day commences. Your job may be important, but don’t let it ruin your health!
8/10
Your work hours are killing you
Research has shown that people who work for 10 hours or more every day have a 60% greater risk of a whole slew of cardiovascular problems, including chest pains and heart attack. This probably stems from the ‘lack of exercise’ issue discussed previously. To ensure good blood circulation and to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), take plenty of breaks from your desk, stand up and head outside, or take frequent trips to the bathroom. Just don’t stay seated all day.
9/10
You stare at the computer all day
Computer work is not only hazardous to your eyesight, it can also cause major headaches. Your eyes are naturally positioned such that they look straight ahead and slightly downward, but if your monitor is positioned incorrectly (slightly higher than eye level), you’ll be straining not just your neck but your eye muscles too, which could lead to eye muscle fatigue and unwanted headaches.
10/10
Your bad posture is causing back problems
If the chairs at work aren’t conducive for sitting for long hours in, perhaps invest in something a little more friendly to your back. A good posture is important for staving off end-of-the-day backaches. Research has also shown that sitting up straight actually makes you more productive and, fascinatingly, happier. Yes, believe it or not, Dutch behavioural scientist Erik Peper has found that you will be more likely to remember positive memories or think of something positive in general when you sit straight.

Everything from the quality of air in your office to the duration of your commute to work can affect you.

Deadlines each week causing sleepless nights and a spike in stress levels? Terrible co-workers and crazy bosses making you dread going to work each morning? The sedentary nature of your office job making you feel terribly unfit? Many people suffer from these issues on a day-to-day basis, but for some reason do nothing about it. Perhaps it’s time to seriously consider how your job affects you.

We’ve come up with a list of 10 ways your job could be severely impacting on your health and wellbeing. If several of the issues in the gallery above applies to you, it may be an unmistakable sign that it’s time to quit your job and find something that suits you better.

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

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