If your work situation is making you miserable, it’s probably time for a change. Unless you’re one of the exceedingly lucky few, you probably don’t jump for joy on the way to work each day.
Most people that work for a living are familiar with the standard Monday morning doldrums or the occasional rip-your-hair-out day on the job. However, there’s a difference between that and a job that is actually making you miserable. A miserable job can affect your physical and mental health. It can kill your self-esteem and even lead to self-destructive behaviors.
Finding yourself miserable at work more and more often? Here are four signs it’s time for a change.
You’ve Become Apathetic
One of the driving reasons we do well at our jobs is that we feel the work we’re doing is important. When you started your job, chances are the mission of the company excited you. You looked forward to throwing your talents and experience behind that mission.
If your job environment has become toxic, however, you may lose this excitement and drive. You risk becoming apathetic. When you no longer care about the overall health of the company or the quality of the work you produce, you will certainly stop going above and beyond.
You’ll feel bored, unchallenged, and unmotivated, day after day. Once you feel this way, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start looking for another job; even just casually.
Your Mental Health Struggles
If you’re in the wrong career, your mental health can nosedive. The stress of knowing you’re miserable at work can chip away at you. You might find your anxiety levels are higher while on the clock. You spend days off depressed, knowing you need to go back. Your self-esteem and confidence get ground to a nub.
You risk burning out and crashing completely if you stick with a job that makes you feel like this — no career is worth it.
Your Physical Health Suffers
Dealing with constant fatigue, disrupted sleep, tense shoulders, or tension headaches? Your job could be to blame.
Your mental health and anxiety levels have a direct link to your physical health. If you’re tense, anxious, angry, or depressed all day, your body will start to feel it. Don’t discount these symptoms. Listen to your body and start the search for a switch.
You Start to Self-Medicate
Last on the list (but certainly not least) is the risk of self-medicating. To unwind from stressful, mentally draining days, some people turn to alcohol. Others might shop excessively or find some other harmful vice that helps them forget about their job — at least, for a while.
If you find that your job has you turning to destructive behaviors as a way to manage stress, it’s absolutely time for a career change.
Contact placement agencies, scour job boards, seek additional training, or utilize a top resume service now — before the problem becomes too big to handle.
Is It Time For a Change?
If the signs in this article resonate with you, it’s time for a change. Even if your current job is “great” on paper, pays very well, or comes with prestige, it’s not worth sacrificing your happiness and health.
There are many other opportunities out there. Life is too short to spend another year in misery. Start the hunt for a new career — today. And while you’re at it, find more savvy career advice in our helpful career section!
