How Your Job Impacts Your Health!

It may sound funny, but your job greatly impacts whether you have good health or not; whether you’re in shape or not! This is because most of us spend a large chunk of our day in our working environment! The factors what determine whether your job is good for your health or bad, includes; activity levels, stress levels, working environment, working hours, colleagues and even your relationship with your boss! Let’s explore the best and worst jobs for your health – prepare to be shocked!

Best Job – Fitness Instructor!

It is perfectly understandable that a job which revolves around exercising is one of the best jobs for your health! This includes; Yoga Instructors, Zumba Instructors and Running Coaches. The reason why Fitness Instructing is ranked as the best job for your health is because it involves a lot of physical activity, and it involves mental and social engagement as well.

Worst Job – Police Officer/Fireman!

Both police officers and firemen put their life for a noble cause – the wellbeing of society. Nonetheless, both these jobs involve a lot of risk; they have high rates of illness, injuries and on-job fatalities. Both these jobs are very tiring and involve long working hours, poor eating habits and irregular sleep patterns. Not only are these jobs physically unhealthy but can be mentally and emotionally exhausting as well. Both policemen and firemen undergo heaps of stress and anxiety.

Best Job – Software Engineer!

Yes – this may come as a surprise, but its oh-so-true! At first glance, this job may not seem healthy considering that the basic requirement is to stare in to the computer screen all day long. However, that’s not the case.  This job may require a lot of hard work but in the end companies such as Intel and Google appreciate their employees for their effort and they get extra incentives as well. Moreover, unsurprisingly, this job is very well paid.

Worst Job – Desk Jockey/Desk Jobs! 

Though this job may not seem unhealthy – it is shockingly amongst the unhealthiest and most widespread job types across the world!  This job involves staying indoors all day and involves very little physical activity which increases the risk of back pain and heart diseases. Other than that the employees have repetitive stress injuries and are rarely appreciated for their work.

Best Job – Florist

This job has been included in the list for best jobs for health for quite some time now! This is because; according to doctors staying around plants and nature reduces stress and blood pressure! Constantly being surrounded by flowers and plants also provides great scenic beauty and helps one maintain a good mood!

Worst Job – Manual Labor!

Manual labor includes working on a construction site. This means that an individual is in constant contact with heavy machinery and risky objects. In 2010, there were 65040 cases of injuries amongst manual laborers. The job involves a lot of physical risk and mental unrest.

Best Job – Insurance Workers!

Insurance workers also made it to the list of best jobs for your health! This is largely due to the fact that insurance workers do not have to face a lot of stress, which means that a person is mentally relaxed. This job does not involve any risks such as injuries and requires minimum physical demands. The insurance industry is booming which means that unemployment prospects are very low in this industry, which is a motivation since employees have relatively secure jobs in an unstable economy.  

Worst Job – Lawyers

Who knew that this high paying job would end up in the worst jobs for health? Not us! Lawyers tend to be constantly under a lot of stress! Moreover, depression is very common amongst lawyers. A survey revealed that very few lawyers actually recommend the career to someone else. Lawyers usually work long hours which prevents them from securing sufficient rest and a good social life!

Best Job – Allied Health Professionals          

This particular job is considered amongst the best for your health AND the least stressful job – talk about win win! This job involves working in labs or offices with regular hours. Stress is low and the physical demands are less. These professionals tend to have a healthy lifestyle, considering the nature of the job itself.  

Worst Job – Healthcare Shift Workers

This was a surprising addition to the worst jobs for health. Healthcare shift workers who are responsible for taking care of others usually face many problems such as increased stress; sleep disorders: increased risk of cardiac disease and diabetes. This is even truer if they are expected to just sit and watch the person they are taking care of.

Best Job – Government Employees

Even though this job may involve a lot of stress, it is still included in the best job for health list. This is because government employees receive a lot of extra incentives such as paid vacations, health benefits and pension plans. The workplace environment is usually good too!

Worst Job – Service and Retail Employees

Service and retail employees such as cashiers and salesperson are included in the worst job for health. This is because these individuals receive very little monetary benefits; the wage is usually very low which means that the employees usually do not have a proper insurance plan. These people are rarely appreciated for their work and the job involves a lot of stress.

Best Job – Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants have also made it in to the best jobs for health! This had the lowest reported injuries in 2012. The jobs are usually well paid. However, there are problems with this job as well such as back pain from sitting and weight gain.

Worst Job – Enlisted Soldier

Even though this job is very honorable but in terms of health, this job has been listed as the worst job. This is because this job involves a lot of physical activities and soldiers have to stay away from their families for long periods. Soldiers constantly face psychological abuse from their supervisors. Let’s not forget about the physical risk such as injuries and on-job fatalities. 

Best Job – Small Business Employees!

This job may not pay as much as large companies do, but it involves a lot of human contact. The employees are constantly motivated and appreciated for their work. A 2012 study showed that local businesses involve lower mortality, obesity and diabetes rate.  Small business employees are usually happier as compared to big company employees.

Worst Job – Transportation Workers!

Transportation jobs are considered to be on the worst jobs for health! This is because transport workers had the highest amount of injuries and illnesses in 2010. The unhealthiness of this job stems from the fact that employees inhale a lot of smoke and often eat whatever is convenient which means junk food! Finally, there is a risk of on-job fatality which can be caused by car accidents...