Does Your Dream Job Make You Sick?

You have always dreamed of being a nurse or an obstetrician, maybe you can remember as a kid day dreaming about being a cook at the fanciest restaurant in town? Dreams and reality are two different things and some jobs where you think you are helping people can actually be silently making you sick.

A recently released government report is ranking some jobs categories that one may not think as being stressful, actually causing depression and other physical symptoms to occur in people who hold these positions.

People who work with the elderly and the chronically ill rate the highest for being a target of severe depression. Many of these employees are overworked and under staffed at different swing shifts from day to day, therefore causing physical stress on the body, leading to an array of health problems and issues. Not to mention dealing with the ill and injured and losing patients from time to time isn't easy on the old psyche. If you are a nurse or doctor working in a Emergency room, it is stressful when a carload of injured teenagers comes in from a car crash and need acute trauma care STAT! No time to be slacking on that job!

The second most rated stressful job field that is making people sick are those who work in the food service industry. Waitresses, cooks and bartenders. doesn't sound that stressful does it? Dealing with snappy customers and working on your feet all day sure doesn't make for a picnic, it can be nerve-wracking, especially when you work so hard only to receive a measly fifty cent tip. Oh don't forget about the bitchy old woman who always comes in at three and orders the Fish and Chips with Broccoli Cheese soup, and she always complains its too salty or too cold every time. You just cant make everyone happy all of the time!

Bouts of depression are common from any job burnout, but the above in particular are high stress jobs and depression is almost a given. Because most people who work in these careers have money invested in schooling and college courses, they hesitate on giving up so soon, in order to pay off student loans and debts accrued. So quitting isn't an option.

The scary thing is that further down the road bouts of depression can turn into long term depression requiring medication and therapy. Low immune systems can lead to increased risk of illnesses and time off work because of sickness. Billions were spent last year alone in job stress related illnesses.

Loss of sleep and anxiety leads to decreased concentration on the job, thus resulting in poor job performance.

Over eating can become another habit that can easily be picked up in a high stress career. Grabbing meals on the go or eating at the desk is a given, therefore lack of exercise is evident. This makes for more trips to the doctor to cure high blood pressure, cholesterol and other obesity related health problems.

Coffee addiction and under eating can also be a problem, no time to grab a nutritious meal results in weight loss and brain fog. Making you not so sharp and witty and not able to perform your best.

According to the study Engineers, land surveyors and architects have the lowest stress levels, I never would have thought those who get paid the most would be the less stressed! Wait a minute, am I hearing myself talk here?

So, anyhow be sure to take time out for yourself and if you are experiencing any life changing symptoms from your job, don't risk your well being, maybe its time to switch careers.