Some of us spend a lot of time working, but our jobs can have an impact on our mental well-being. When your work environment becomes too much it can lead to mental distress or other mental health problems.

Some common work-related stressors include:

• A heavy workload
• Unrealistic expectations from management
• Big changes to your job role or organization
• Not feeling recognized for your work
• Feeling like you have no job security
• A hostile work environment with coworkers or supervisors

Workplace stress can affect us all in different ways. Some people only experience it for a limited amount of time while working on an important project. Other people experience workplace burnout, which can feel like physical or emotional exhaustion. This can lead to a sense of reduced accomplishment and a loss of personal identity. It’s important to ask for help when workplace stress gets in the way of you doing things on a daily basis or goes on for a long time.

Workplace stress can feel like:

• Feeling irritated, angry, or down
• Not being productive or feeling like you’re not achieving anything
• Calling out from work (not because of sickness)
• Feeling cynical or defensive about work
• A lack of motivation
• Dreading going to work or doing certain things at work
• Not sleeping well
• Getting headaches often

Workplace stress can also lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, but they’re both highly treatable.