It seems like a funny question to ask but is your workplace making you sick? Yes, it can happen! In fact, aching muscles, loss of appetite, restless sleep, and a complete sense of exhaustion can all be contributed to workplace stress and yes- this is medically proven. So, what happens when you need to make money but the stress associated with your job, your co-workers’ negativity, etc. all start to cause you to feel physically ill?

Well, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), job stress has become a common and costly problem in the American workplace, leaving few workers untouched. For example, studies report the following:

• One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. -Northwestern National Life
• Three-fourths of employees believe the worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago. -Princeton Survey Research Associates
• Problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than are any other life stressor-more so than even financial problems or family problems. -St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.

So, to answer your question, what can be done? Well…. a lot can be done but you have to be willing to address the issue(s) at hand.

To start, ask yourself if you are really balancing your work life with your personal life. Are you answering emails on your day off? Are you working double shifts all the time? Are there certain work activities that can be cut back upon?

Second, have you tried mediation? Real mediation. Don’t sit for five minutes a month and state that you mediate. You don’t. You have to understand why you need to mediate, the fundamental principals, and – like anything- dedicate time to practice it. Being “too busy” isn’t a good enough excuse, either.

Finally, give yourself permission to be upset. We try to hide, shadow, or pretend that we are not stressed out. Well, this “tactic” only adds to our stress. The best thing you can do for yourself is to acknowledge how you feel, the environment contributing to it, and then figure out a plan as to how to approach the same situation (from a positive manner) going forward. Addressing the issue head-on only helps a situation, avoiding it hurts the situation.

Remember, you’re not alone but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Address it, mediate and develop a better plan for balancing your personal and professional life.