When looking for a potential career path, there are two things that we consider first. One, we pick a career path based on what we’re good at or what we enjoy doing. Second, we choose a career that we believe will be able to fund our current or desired lifestyle. Many people may also put job prospects and education required into consideration.
Picking a career path goes beyond the latter. We must also pick a job that is good for our wellbeing. With that in mind, below is a list of several career paths that might not be good for one’s mental health.
1. Healthcare Worker
Whether you take on a job as a doctor, psychiatric nurse, or employment at a PHP addiction treatment center, working as a healthcare worker can be a challenge. These professionals are generally expected to work long hours, sometimes without breaks, and are constantly exposed to germs, difficult patients, and urgent situations that require quick action.
2. Nursing Home Worker
Working in a nursing home is sometimes less chaotic than working in a regular healthcare setting. However, it’s still not very mental health-friendly. It can be a lot for someone to be expected to give continuous care to others. Not to mention, being surrounded by clients who are sick, in frequent pain, and generally in the final months or years of their life can be depressing.
3. Sales Professional
Working in sales takes a dedicated salesman or saleswoman. With specific quotas to meet within strict deadlines, some folks might find a career as a sales professional to be nerve wracking. With lack of, or few, sales, one might quickly become discouraged.
4. First Responder
As a first responder, it isn’t uncommon to experience burnout, anxiety, or depression. First responders are exposed to physically-demanding situations, emotionally-overwhelming circumstances, and even trauma.
5. Lawyer
Legal professionals are highly sought after and relied upon to help people with their sometimes very complicated cases. Then there’s the possibility that your client won’t win in Court, leading to a hit to your confidence. That can be a lot of pressure for someone struggling from a mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression.
6. Mental Health Professional
While someone struggling with mental health may want to help others on the same boat, working as a mental health professional may be a frequent trigger for their own mental illness. To add to the matter, long hours and low pay may also be factors of this career.
7. Food Service Worker
Whether you work an entry level position, earn the title of sous chef, or were hired as a restaurant manager, working in food service isn’t for the faint of heart. A job like this, you can expect to work in a noisy fast-paced environment, deal with angry customers, and be around hot equipment. For some, this can be anxiety-provoking and overstimulating.
Conclusion
We may pick a career based on salary or what we enjoy doing. Seems simple enough, right? But to get the most out of your job, it’s critical to pick something that will be good for your mental health. The latter list, however, contains jobs that might not be very mental health-friendly in the short- or long-run.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.