All of us spend 15 years of our lives in academics so that we can finally get a job at the end of it all to support us financially. Many of us choose our future careers based on what will pay the most money, while some of us choose to follow our passions for a while before we think about financial stability. Among this, only a few people find a job that they love and pays them well. However, many of us might not really understand how badly a job can take a toll on us both physically and mentally. There are some jobs available that are very much necessary for society to function, but can also affect a person’s mental well being. Many times, we might enter these fields by choice but do not fully know how it will affect us, and sometimes we might have taken up a job because we had no other choice. The jobs listed below are highly stressful and can require a lot of mental strength to work every day. Approaching a mental health counselor or finding ways to handle the stress in healthy ways can alleviate some of the pressure that comes from these jobs:
1. Care Workers
People who work at nursing homes or at places where people require full time help can face a lot of stress. Not only do they have to take responsibility for another person, but most times, they are also not thanked for doing everything they do. A normal day for someone in this field includes feeding, bathing, cleaning up after and caring for someone, and though the job does come with its own personal rewards, it can be difficult to see someone in their most vulnerable state. Along with this, the people who are cared for might also resent the dependence they feel, and might not react well to the care workers.
2. Workers In The Food Services Industry
Many people work in the food services industry and hold a variety of positions, from waiters to busboys to managers. Among these, people who serve the food are more prone to developing major depressive episodes. The wait staff don’t get paid very well, have long hours, and have to deal with people who might not always be considerate. This can be exhausting physically and mentally, and because they are at the lowest end of the chain, they often feel like they are at the mercy of their bosses. This inability to have a say combined with facing unpredictable people can be very stressful.
3. Social Workers
Social workers are similar to care workers in levels of stress. They have to constantly face situations that are traumatic, and have to help the victims and the families to face everything that has happened. Not only do they have to be one of the first responders to a crisis event, they also have to stay behind and check up after everything is dealt with. While there is a lot of praise for the work they do, they are the only ones who can take care of their mental status at the end of the day. People who work in this field do it because they want to help people, but at times, can sacrifice too much and be burnt out very quickly.
4. Health Care Practitioners
Health care practitioners are doctors, nurses, therapists and other professions that involve caring for the sick and the dying, and not always succeeding. These professions expose you to horrific and gruesome accidents, complicated and tragic cases, as well as death on a daily basis. This constant stress is accompanied with irregular and long hours that also affect an individual’s physical health. At the end of the day, a lot of people’s lives are literally in the hands of health care practitioners, and knowing that you are the only thing standing between life and death can be a very stressful feeling.
5. Maintenance Workers
Maintenance workers get called only when things go wrong, and they aren’t always respected for the jobs they hold. Though nothing would ever function without maintenance workers, their profession does always bring appreciation from the people they help out. Moreover, the hours can be long and irregular, and many people also have to work night shifts. Finally, maintenance workers can also feel isolated and alone. They may have worked for a particular company or in a place for years without really being recognized by others, and they may feel underappreciated for all their efforts.
