How Does Your Job Affect Your Mental Health?

May 19, 2016 by WestBridge

Stress is a significant contributor to mental health disorders. Unfortunately, it is also something that all of us deal with in some form or fashion. All of us receive stress from different places, and for many of us a key source of stress is work. Understanding how your job adds stress to your life can be one of the first steps toward mitigating it.

Certainly, there are high-stress jobs out there, such as being a First Responder or an Emergency Room doctor. For these individuals, it is not uncommon to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety disorders, depression and substance use.

Other jobs can cause stress, too. For those who are introverted by nature, any job that requires contact with the public can be stressful. A demanding job or a heavy work load also can create stress, no matter the nature of that work.

Understanding that your work inevitably adds stress to your life is an important first step. From there, it is useful to develop a stress management plan. Here are a few tips for preparing yourself for potentially stressful situations:

Take advantage of break times. Do not be afraid to step away from what you are doing and clear your head as needed.
Develop a healthy way to burn stress—an activity that you find comforting or therapeutic. Exercise, journaling, or arts and crafts can all be good examples.
Have someone you can talk to, to vent and to blow off steam regarding the stresses of your day.
If a situation makes you angry, step away from it for a few minutes, at least long enough to cool down and return more rationally.

Put your mental health first. Have a plan in place to help you contend with the stresses of daily life—including your life at the office.

Is your job stressful? Share how you cope with stress and any helpful tips in the comments.