I worked in a toxic workplace for over 7 years.

The leadership was non existence which meant you were left to do the job.  It was good in one aspect however on another aspect it meant colleagues, that had a nasty streak, were not pulled into line resulting in a toxic workplace being created.  It was like the playground at junior high school.

The job was far from my ideal job.  In fact it was quite boring and very repetitive.   But it worked for the family.  Which is quite ironic given around the fifth year of being in the toxic environment it was having an large impact on my ability to be a good mum to my children.  I was stressed, anxious and very very irritable.

I look back now and wonder why on earth I put up with it and didn’t leave years ago.  It was the small things that would occur and I would bounce back but at the end the impact was significant.

So what does a toxic workplace do to our health?

To start with it causes us lots and lots of stress and sleepless nights.  These are the obvious ones as we can see these.

However when you experience stress on a regular basis, due to the toxic workplace it impacts your body, your mood and your behaviour.

You may start to experience headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, stomach problems, sleep issues and the worst one… the chest pains.

Your mood changes and you become anxious, cannot relax, you feel overwhelmed, sadness.  You may become socially withdrawn, increase your drinking or smoking.  Or be more prone to angry outbursts and these will occur at home with your family or your poor children.

If you are serious about looking after your health you must find a solution to the toxic workplace.  The only solution available is to find another job.

‘But…” I hear you say.  There are no buts.  This is your health,  and without your health you have very little.

And for a little inspiration….

I meet an American guy, Danny, a couple of months ago who was working on a tourist day trip boat.  About 5 years ago he had been working in a toxic workplace and wanted out.

Instead of looking for a job he could do, he started to look for jobs he wanted to do.

What a different mind set.  He set himself the goal of getting the job and the various qualifications that were needed for the job.  He loved his job on the tour boats and was extremely happy now.

Do not let a toxic workplace impact your health…  Life is short and there are honestly plenty of other jobs out there.