Do you have an impending backache during work which only dissipates once the weekend arrives? Are you suffering from insomnia, anxiety, or depression as a result of your job? You are not alone in feeling mentally and physically exhausted during work. To an extent, most of us assume being sad, bored, and taking crap from our boss at work is just part of the job. To a degree perhaps, but this isn’t a sufficient justification to work yourself sick.

If your body is ceasing up every time you enter the office, your hands feel numb approaching your factory job, you eat junk food at your desk continuously to help you maintain some form of morale to get your through the day, you don’t have to continue living this way and enduring mental and physical pain to earn money.

Some workplaces insist on a pre-employment medical check to gauge whether you are capable of a job beforehand to pre-empt any changes they may need to make or to test whether you’re suitable to do the job, however, this isn’t the case for all businesses. Which is why it’s essential for you to put your health first before your employment because without it, you wouldn’t be able to work at all.

Fewer Hours

If you can afford to take a drop in hours and your workplace will allow you to do so, why not cut back your working hours, giving yourself the extra time to enjoy life and recharge fully before your next shift. Whether you are able to cut down your hours relies heavily on the financial commitments and responsibilities you currently have. If reducing your hours is not feasible, perhaps the next piece of advice can assist instead.

Promotion

The prospect of a promotion may seem counterproductive in giving your mind and body a break. As usually, another job title means taking on more stress and new tasks. However, it could actually be the specific tasks you are doing at the moment in your current role that might be causing you so much stress, anxiety or physical pain.

For example, if you’re working as a telesales agent cooped up in the office 9-5 each day, your stress may root from the frustration of continually being indoors. Alternatively, you could apply for other jobs that instills the tasks you would much rather be doing. For instance, applying for a job as a regional sales rep would be a higher position, with the benefit of being away from the office and traveling to different locations.

If you have outgrown your existing role, become bored with the same tasks and people and need a change, try and move upwards not backward if it’s possible.

Be Kind To Yourself

Can you remember the last time you spent time doing something you enjoy that’s healthy for both your mind and body? With a packed weekly schedule of work and other promised commitments, you may be left with little to no time to care of yourself. Dedicating time to look after you is essential no matter how stressful your job is or not. Which means simple pleasures such as a bubble bath, a meaningful chat with a friend or a walk in the park can help restore your mind and body back to a place of happiness. Subsequently helping you to feel ready to feel motivated to take on the next working day.

Self-care shouldn’t only take place outside of the workplace. You can go for a stroll on your lunch break, prepare yourself a healthy nutritious meal to keep your body happy and energized or you can catch up some reading to give you something to look forward to on your break.

Resign

If you feel there is no way upwards or even a chance to sidestep in your current position, it may be time to put your health first and look for another job before handing in your resignation. To back yourself up further, before you decide to leave your position set up a side hustle doing something you enjoy to help you with a bit of extra money, extra confidence and to diversify your skill set. You never know, if you dedicate your energy into something your mind and body agrees with, with enough determination and commitment your side hustle could overthrow the need for your main job.

To prevent working yourself sick think about what you can do to help alleviate any stress and pain you may be feeling, be it self-care or searching for alternative work.

Are you a workaholic or a career person? How do you prevent yourself from working sick?