Everyone has a bad day at work from time to time, but there are other signs that you need to watch out for because before you know it, a bad day at the office can turn into debilitating work stress which can ruin your health.
You Can’t Sleep
If you can’t sleep, then this is a sure-fire sign that your job is affecting you. You may wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep, or you may find that you wake up and that you just can’t stop thinking about your to-do list. Either way restless nights are not a huge deal at all but if it becomes a pattern then this may be a sign that your stress is toxic and that it is affecting your personal life. If you are having to use drugs or alcohol to get to sleep then now may be the time for you to look into drug rehab.
Headaches
When you are stressed, your body will tense up to try and protect your body from injury. If you see the workplace as being a threat, then your muscles will stay wound tight. You may experience chronic tension in your shoulders and neck. This is most commonly associated with tension headaches and even migraines.
Your Muscles Ache
If you have a very toxic job, then it may feel as though you are constantly in a heightened state of awareness. Your body will flood with adrenaline and various other stress hormones. Your nervous system will be on edge constantly and this could be a sign that something needs to change.
Your Mental Health Is Getting Worse
Increased stress can increase any health issues that you are experiencing. Someone who may be prone to anxiety may experience way more worry as a result and this can have a huge impact on your health overall. You may feel as though your boss is always out to get you and that you even experience depression. If this is the case then it helps to talk to someone at work about your situation so you can get the help you need.
You’re Constantly Sick
If you catch a cold all the time, then think about how you currently feel about your job. A lot of research has been done and it shows that chronic stress can compromise the immune system, and this can make you far more susceptible to illness.
You’re Constantly Tired
If you feel constantly tired then you may feel as though no nap will help you. You may find that a weekend lie-in doesn’t cure the way that you feel and that You just struggle to keep up with everything. You may also feel overwhelmed as well.
Your Stomach Is Acting Up
Constipation, bloating and even indigestion can all be associated with stress. The main reason for this is because stress impacts everything that the gut digests and it can also have an impact on gut bacteria too. It’s one of the main reasons why you get stomach pangs when you get upset. If you want to make a change here, then you need to try and get to the root of the problem as soon as you can.
Change in Appetite
Believe it or not, your appetite is linked to your brain. When you are under stress, this will trigger your fight or flight response and it will also release adrenaline as well. This will tell your body to suppress digestion and it will also try and save you from whatever threat is nearby. All of this causes your hunger to increase, because of the cortisol build-up. If your job is causing you to feel this way then it may be that you are experiencing emotional distress and this can cause you to turn to food for comfort. Studies have also shown that eating foods that are high in sugar may blunt any stress-related responses and emotions.
What Can You Do
If you want to help yourself then you need to try and take as many breaks as you can. If you feel as though you are getting stressed out, then you need to take 5 minutes and help yourself to calm down. If you are able to do this then you will soon find that you are able to unwind and return to the task feeling calm and collected. If this doesn’t work, then it may be time for you to change jobs. This will be a huge decision, but it may be the only solution.
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