Are You Trapped in Your Job? Some Suggestions on How to Cope

Like many cities in the US, the job market in the one that I live in is awful. Especially for someone like myself who gets paid a decent salary for the area that I live in for the education that I have with the responsibilities financially that I need to meet. I look at the job postings now and again and there are some decent jobs out there but things are ultra competitive and most you need at least a Bachelor's degree to even apply for.

I have been with the organization that I am with for quite awhile and have reached the upper reaches of a small company but I would love to move on to another challenge (sound familiar to you?) With a family to support with young children, I do my best but some days, it gets to the point where when I get home my ears are ringing because the headache I have and the co-workers that I work with. It is compounded when you are in a supervisory role and as hard as you try, your staff either resents you for reasons outside your control, you are not getting support from others or a million other reasons.

I have felt like this for some time and have taken some steps to relieve myself of the stress that I have. I recommend trying all of these in combination as they have worked for me to deal with the day to day.

Writing- It is a great way to get things off your chest and one reason why I love Associated Content. It gives me the forum to write whatever I want and at the same time help somebody out there with the things that I choose to write about.

Physical labor- If it is working out, doing yard work or fixing something around the house, it is a great way to take your mind of things. Do not sit around and dwell on your day. It can only hurt.

Talk to someone you love- Having a phone conversation with a parent or friend or your spouse is a good way to commiserate. Keeping it in and taking the route of drinking away your problems for example can only cause bad things to transpire.

Sleep- It is important to get a good nights rest for many reasons but even more when you are in a job that you do not enjoy. Don't stay up to till 3AM looking for a job that is like finding a needle in a haystack. Being over tired at work leads to mistakes and also for a very long day that is bad enough as it is.

Eat right- Buy feel good foods such as fruits and low-fat ice cream. It makes me feel better about myself when I know that I doing something that is going to benefit me after I put myself through eight hours of mental pain and suffering at the workplace.

Go out with your friends- Don't become a homebody. Go out and chill with your friends and take in a show or sporting event every once in awhile.

Do your job to the best of your abilities- Just because things are the way they are you should not compromise your ethics over it. You took the job and you owe it to yourself to work as hard as possible. I figure that if I can work through this, I can work through anything that life throws at me.

Go back to school- I know, time is something that most of us do not have, but even one class at a time is better than nothing. Long term you will reach the goal of the career that you always wanted and fix the mistake of not gaining that degree that you wished you would have gotten when you were younger.

Some things not to do are picking up smoking, excessive drinking, going home and taking it out on your loved ones, overeating and over spending. All these things are common reactions but all lead to long term issues. Avoid all if possible but if you fit into one or more of the aforementioned criteria, try some of the suggestions above to supplement your feelings of stress and anger. You will be surprised at how well they work.