7 Signs Your Job Is Killing You – Don’t Ignore These!

A global poll has uncovered that almost 85% people are unhappy with their jobs. To be quite frank, these numbers do not come as a surprise to me. Let’s face it- we all are or have been in jobs we don’t love but have to stay put either because of our responsibilities or to avoid career gaps. However, there is a difference between a job that you don’t love vs a job that is killing you and making you mentally or physically ill. A lot of us usually try to push through this situation because we have been conditioned that our jobs are supposed to be horrible, but we must raise an alarm when it starts sucking the life out of us and starts affecting our mental health. Let’s understand the signs that prove that your job is killing you.

This doesn’t mean you simply have to quit your job. Infact, most of us do not have the luxury to quit the jobs we hate but being aware of how our work is conditioning our thoughts and affecting our mental and physical health is a form of self care that everyone must follow. One can only take corrective actions when they’re aware of potential problems and bringing in that awareness which is the sole purpose of this post. 

1. Feeling nervous in the morning

If you wake up feeling dreadful at the thought of going to work, you probably hate your job more than you realize. Waking up and going to work is not the most exciting thing for most people, but if you wake up freaking out right after your alarm goes off you really need to re-think what exactly is bothering you at work so much.

2. Being unhappy with your performance

Missing deadlines, getting harsher feedback from your boss or not being proud or happy about anything you’re working on- if you’re facing any of these issues, chances are you’re not living up to your own potential at work. You need to understand the reason behind the drop in your performance whether it is due to lack of guidance, too much work load or general exhaustion due to the dislike for your job. The latter may be a result of multiple variables that maybe difficult to solve for.

3. Scared to ask for help

Doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or an experienced professional, everyone requires help from their peers or bosses at some point in their career. Sometimes it maybe something particular to your work- a new software or perhaps a new report format or general career guidance. But if you do not feel comfortable enough to trust your colleagues, you’re possibly in an unhealthy environment and afraid to ask for help when you need it.

4. Becoming short-tempered and volatile

Your friends & family may notice or complain about the changes in your behavior- that you’re becoming easily irritable or sad, or the only thing you talk about is how bad your job is treating you. When you’re miserable at your job, you also tend to snap at people you otherwise care about. You might also notice a change in how you treat people around you and that might possibly be due to your hatred for your job.

5. Always tired & sleepy

Stress and anxiety about work affects your body in more ways than you can imagine. The most common symptom out of all is the lack of restful sleep. No matter how many hours you sleep or how early you go to bed, you may not feel rested at all. You may also end up feeling tired and oversleeping on weekends but no amount of sleep seems enough to make you feel energized and ready for work.

6. Crying often for unknown reasons

Even if you’re an emotional person, crying for unknown reasons and that too multiple times in a month is a sign that your mind is really overwhelmed. If this is especially happening at work, or just after that, it is highly likely that the burst of emotions is happening due to your job. 

7. Finding it difficult to disconnect from work

You are always worried about meeting your targets, incoming emails or ticking off your to-do list at work. Even when you’re not working, chances are that your work is not letting you relax and enjoy your personal time with your family. You don’t feel like going out much because you cannot fully enjoy any experience when work is always at the back of your mind.

If these signs resonated with you, and you’re starting to realize maybe your job is really killing you from inside, then this is the right time to think about taking corrective actions. Don’t quit your job without asking yourself these questions. Not everybody has the financial ability to quit their job instantly, so start with speaking about the issue to someone you trust. You may then decide whether to look for a new job, or speak to your manager or HR at your organization or quit your job to take some time off for yourself. Make sure you involve your loved ones in the process and find a solution that works for you. 

Also Read: 21 ways to improve yourself in 2021