While most people take great pride in their work, men can be especially strong-minded when it comes to their jobs, and that is often because a good career is important for providing a great life and future for their families. However, regardless of who you are, you deserve to have a safe and efficient workplace where you can complete your tasks without fear of physical or mental issues blocking the way.
Sometimes, we may be negatively impacted by our jobs without realizing it, and even if it is obvious, many people choose to just deal with negative factors at work because they know that they need to get through the day to secure the paycheck that their livelihood requires. Below we will talk about some physical and mental factors of a toxic job and what you can do to stay protected.
Physical Risks
The fact of the matter is that you don’t have to work in construction or a fast-paced warehouse environment to be physically injured on the job. Even a seemingly “cushy” office job can cause you harm.
Two of the most common injuries within office jobs are back and neck problems due to sitting too long in an uncomfortable chair. If you find that you are having constant pain and trouble sitting, then you need to ask your manager for an ergonomic chair and the proper desk setup that will allow you to work comfortably. When you sit, you need to keep your hips and knees at a right angle and your desk should be at the height where your elbows are at between a 70-135 degree angle. Sitting in this manner will ensure that you have the correct posture and back and neck pain should be minimal.
There are other tips you can try as well when you are feeling physical pain while at your desk. One is to ask management if you can get a standing desk, which will allow you to skip the chair altogether while also providing proper blood circulation, which is essential for a healthy body. Also, if the pain continues, you may want to see a chiropractor for assistance. Check your insurance to see if this care is covered. Older workers may have assistance through their Medicare coverage.
If you do work in a more industrial atmosphere where there is the constant movement of machinery, chemicals, and other workers, then you will want to pay special attention to all safety signage and wear the proper equipment. If you are injured on the job, you must not keep it a secret. Instead, go directly to your supervisor and report the incident so you can get the care you need and assistance through worker’s compensation.
Mental Risks
Regardless of the environment you work in, it is always possible to feel mentally fatigued and overstressed at one point or another. Some jobs are just naturally more stressful, such as emergency responders or folks who work in the medical field, and in those cases, it is important to properly manage the stress. Make sure to get your 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, eat as healthy as possible, and exercise a bit every morning and you will put yourself in the right frame of mind to take on any challenges you may face.
Sometimes a job can cause mental unrest in ways that you may not even realize. For instance, many workers in minority populations often feel more pressure to perform to stay in competition with their non-diverse co-workers. This is one of many reasons why companies need to actively hire a diverse workforce. Not only will doing so make everyone feel welcome, but diverse companies also earn 19% more revenue than other companies due to the variety of ideas that are presented regularly. As a worker, if you notice this issue at your workplace, consider speaking to your human resources team about the benefits of diversity and you never know what could become of it.
One of the best ways to ensure that your job doesn’t negatively impact your health is to instill a positive work/life balance. Stress can come easily when your mornings are full of meal prep and sending kids to school while also trying to perform at your job. The same goes for the end of the day when the kids get home from school and need to be transported to activities. The best way to remedy this issue is to go to your manager and ask for a different schedule that might have you starting later in the day or working a split shift so you can give the time you need to both your work and family.
Dangers of being Overworked
Even if you believe that you have implemented a healthy work/life balance, you may still feel incredibly overworked when you do sit down to complete your job. Signs that you are simply doing too much include feeling physically fatigued or nauseous during your workday, having a constant sense of dread, and allowing the stress of your day to bleed over into your personal life. Not only can being overworked affect your mind, but it could also cause serious physical implications. In fact, studies show that overworking can actually lead to an increased chance of dying from a stroke or heart disease.
Those who feel that they are simply tasked with too much for the day should go to their manager and express their concerns. Happier employees are not only more satisfied with life but they are also more efficient, so your superiors should have no problem providing another associate to help you out. You should also ensure that you take a lunch every day and take breaks when you need them so you can recharge and return to work refreshed.
If you have tried the tricks listed above and you still feel unsafe at work, it may be time to look for a new position. For the best chance at new employment, review your resume and update your past achievements to attract maximum attention. So, instead of saying that you sold products, elaborate on how you helped the company. To do that, you might say, “sold stock to new demographics to increase company revenue by 10%.” Once you get an interview, take the time to ask questions about the position while specifically mentioning the health dangers we’ve discussed here today.
While they say “pain is gain,” you shouldn’t have to feel physically or mentally accosted every time you step into work. Think about the potential dangers listed above and take a key role in changing your outlook at work and you will have a happier life overall.
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