Since we spend so much of our time at work, nobody likes to think that this essential part of life could be adversely affecting our health. But the truth is that no matter what job you have, it carries a degree of risk that your health is under threat. Being aware of these risks is the first step towards working out what you can do about them. Here are the top five reasons why your job may be bad for you.



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Working Overtime

People who work extremely long hours are putting their health under a great deal of threat. Both physical and mental well being end up being affected. This is because people who put in these extreme hours are less likely to eat a healthy diet, less likely to get the exercise they need and more likely to suffer from stress. Studies have shown that people who work for 10 hours or more a day are at a higher risk of heart-related problems.

Lack of Movement

When you are sat down for a long period of time (or even standing up in the same position), this can lead to a variety of health problems. A sedentary lifestyle has been closely linked to heart disease and diabetes, as well as causing physical aches and pains. The only way you can combat this is trying to be more active while you are at work. If you work a desk job, it has been recommended that you get up and move around at least once every hour.

Breathing in Poor Quality Air

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Obviously, people who work with dangerous chemicals or in areas where toxic substances are common are at greater risk. If you have already suffered the ill effects of asbestos, mesotheliomahelp.org can give you some more information. However, offices can also be dangerous, with so much recirculated air constantly being breathed in on a regular basis. Find out directly from your employer any steps they take to improve air quality in the workplace.

Commuting

It may be that that actual stress of getting to and from your job is causing you as much stress as the work itself! Long commutes can add a lot of time onto the working day, which in turn can increase your risk of burnout. Other problems can arise from getting into traffic jams or busy public transportation. If another mode of transport like cycling is an option, it may be time to take this up which can reduce your stress and also makes sure you get your daily exercise.

Lack of Breaks

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The formal break time seems to have become something that existed in a far distant past for many people. This failure to take breaks can increase job-related stress. Even if your company doesn’t have an official break policy, just stepping away from your work station for a couple of minutes can really make all the difference in helping you to relieve stress and be more active.