Having a nine-to-five job is an integral part of being an adult. Depending on your profession, you may be pulling in long hours and even working on the weekends to make ends meet. While working is necessary to pay your bills, there’s no denying how stressful and exhausting the hustle culture is. When you have no boundaries between your personal and work life, it begins to take over. You may start feeling the effects of your mundane routine get to you. So, don’t be surprised if you wake up one day feeling tired, sluggish, and exhausted as you try to keep up with your daily grind.
Likewise, if you work in the industrial sector, you may be working around harmful chemicals and minerals like asbestos that can gradually impact your overall health. Various large cities report incidents of employee workplace incidents. According to the data gathered, Texas ranked fifth in asbestos-related deaths, resulting in more than 2,700 cases. Given these numbers, it’s crucial to explore how your health may be impacted because of your job, and here’s what you need to know:
1. Exposes You to Harmful Substances
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If you work in the industrial sector or construction, there’s a high chance you may get exposed to harmful substances that can cause long-term damage to your body. Such was the case in the 20th century, when building materials were laced with asbestos. This microscopic fiber can easily enter your body and accumulate there. In states like Texas, the CDC reports that more than 3,800 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1999 and 2019. If you’ve been a victim of asbestos exposure at work and developed mesothelioma, consulting with an experienced lawyer is advised. Look up a reliable mesothelioma lawyer Texas and gain legal guidance from them.
Occupational mesothelioma is a clear case of employee neglect. Your company should have provided you with the necessary safety gear to prevent you from inhaling this compound. Since they didn’t, which resulted in you getting sick, you have every right to sue them for endangering your health. Toxic fumes and chemicals generally cause lasting damage to your body, and you may require prolonged treatment to regain your lost health.
2. Immense Workplace Stress
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Your body and mind cannot handle excessive amounts of stress. If you’re busy working around the clock without giving yourself a break, it will take a toll on you. Stress tends to build up. You may not notice the signs immediately, but you will feel uneasy, overwhelmed, and panicked. When you’re far too stressed out, you become restless, experience panic attacks, undergo appetite suppression, and, worst cases, end up with insomnia. Your lack of rest and inability to handle stress will impact your mental health.
You will lose focus, often become irritable, and lash out. You may also struggle to keep up with your workload and miss crucial deadlines, which can end disastrously for you. If this continues, you will eventually become burnt out and hit your saturation point, meaning now you’re completely exhausted.
You can only break free from stress if you choose to acknowledge it. When you battle too much anxiety, you may need to seek a professional therapist to help you make sense of your struggles. Furthermore, it’s best to communicate with your manager and colleagues if you cannot tackle the extra workload.
3. Sedentary Lifestyle
If your job requires you to stay on your desk for long periods, it will start taking a toll on your body. You need to move around and exercise your limbs to improve blood circulation. Likewise, your body needs to burn off excessive energy while your muscles need to stretch. When you’re unable to do that, it takes a toll on your physical health. Your posture may start slouching, and you may experience back ache. If you’re habitual of consuming a hearty meal and do not follow any regime to help you get rid of the excess calories, you may become obese. These can lead to heart problems and trouble with your blood pressure, and if your sedentary lifestyle continues, you may also get diseases like diabetes.
Your muscles may also get sore, and you may experience severe body fatigue daily. This tension can accumulate around your neck and joints, making you stiff in the long run. The only way forward is to indulge in moderate physical activity, especially at work. Move around the office every twenty minutes or an hour to exercise your limbs. If you can use a standing desk, work on it instead of sitting and doing your job. Moreover, rethink your diet and stick to a healthier meal plan that can give you the nutrition you need without the added carbs.
4. Missing Out on Social Connections
As humans, we crave social bonds. We like to feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Everyone has a life outside of work, and so should you. But when working long hours and barely getting time off on the weekends, you miss out on many social connections. It impacts your mental well-being when you don’t have time to de-stress or relax after work.
You start becoming socially isolated, find it challenging to maintain friendships, and struggle to have meaningful relationships. Forcing yourself into isolation is detrimental to you. It can cause depression and anxiety. You may stop looking after yourself, neglect your well-being, and eventually cut yourself off from your loved ones. Hence, you must establish boundaries at work and learn to say no when you can. Don’t let your work life consume your personal life.
Conclusion
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A stable career is an integral part of the modern-day world, yet it comes at a heavy price. You’re compelled to work to pay your bills, but when you can no longer cope with your workload and allow it to trickle into your everyday life, it becomes a problem. Your health is your biggest asset. Once you start neglecting yourself, your life may take a drastic turn. Your physical and mental health deteriorates when you allow your work to get the best of you. Symptoms like fatigue, exhaustion, and anxiety start settling in your body. You may also find it hard to keep up with your routine without feeling defeated. In short, the secret to a well-balanced career and personal life is managing your workload and ensuring you take care of yourself.
