It’s no secret that the workplace can be a stressful environment. But sometimes, it can go beyond simply being challenging and become downright toxic. It’s important to be able to recognize the signs that your workplace has become toxic in order to protect your mental health.
What are the signs that your workplace has become toxic?
There are a few key indicators that your workplace might be toxic.
One is a general feeling of unease or anxiety that you can’t shake, even when you’re not at work. If you find yourself dreading going into the office, or if you’re constantly on edge while you’re there, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
Another sign is if you feel like you’re not being supported by your colleagues or boss. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, from feeling like you’re not being given the resources you need to do your job properly, to feeling like your opinion isn’t valued. If you’re not able to do your best work because of a lack of support, it’s a sign that the workplace isn’t healthy.
It’s also important to keep an eye on your work-life balance. If you find that you’re working excessive hours, or if you’re not able to take the time off that you need, then it’s time you sit up and take notice. A good workplace will respect your time and understand that you have a life outside of work.
Career progression is also often an issue. If you feel like you’re stuck in a dead-end job, or if you’re not being given the opportunity to develop your skills, then it’s time to start rethinking your options.
Also critical is the responsiveness of management and the Human Resources team when you bring up issues, particularly related to harassment or bullying. If you don’t feel like your concerns are being taken seriously, or if you’re not seeing any changes being made, this is a crystal-clear sign that the workplace is probably beyond salvaging.
Finally, a toxic workplace is often one where there is a lot of drama and conflict. If you’re constantly walking on eggshells, or if you witness a lot of fighting between colleagues, it’s an indication that something is seriously wrong.
How a toxic workplace impacts our mental health
Trying to navigate the minefield created by a toxic workplace can seriously damage our mental health.
One of the most common effects is stress. When we’re constantly under pressure, or when we’re feeling unsupported, it’s inevitable that we’re going to start to feel stressed. And when stress is chronic, it can lead to a whole host of other problems, including anxiety and depression.
With time it is likely that the stress will lead to burnout. This is a condition characterized by feelings of exhaustion and cynicism, and it can have a serious impact on both our work and our personal lives. Burnout is a serious condition that is very difficult to recover from, so it’s important to try and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Another common effect of working in a toxic environment is that we can start to lose our sense of self-worth. If we’re constantly being made to feel like we’re not good enough, or if our opinion isn’t valued, it takes a toll on our self-esteem. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, and it can make it difficult to assert ourselves both at work and in our personal lives.
It can also affect our physical health. When we’re stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This means that we’re constantly on edge, and our bodies are in a state of high alert. This can lead to physical health problems such as insomnia, stomach issues, and headaches.
What’s more, a toxic workplace can also impact our relationships. When we’re struggling at work, it’s often the people closest to us who suffer the consequences. We might take our frustrations out on our partner or our family, or we might withdraw from them altogether.
If the toxicity in the workplace is particularly bad, it can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, and it can have a hugely negative impact on our mental health.
It’s important to remember that we spend a large chunk of our lives at work, and so it’s crucial that we feel happy and supported there.
What can you do to safeguard your mental health if you find yourself in a toxic workplace?
If you’ve identified that your workplace is toxic, it’s important to take action to protect your mental health.
First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have a good support system outside of work. This can be friends, family, or even a therapist. It’s important to have people you can rely on to help you through tough times.
It’s also important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Make sure you’re eating well and getting enough exercise. It’s also crucial to take time for yourself, whether that means reading, taking walks, or just taking some time to relax.
You should also start looking for a new job, even if you don’t have one lined up yet. It’s important to have an exit plan, so that you can leave when the time is right. Knowing that your ducks are in a row will help you to feel more in control, and it will take some of the pressure off.
If you are unable to leave the job for whatever reason, you could try cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This is a type of therapy that can help you to change the way you think about your work situation, and it can be extremely effective in managing stress.
In fact, therapy is a good idea even if you do leave the job. Talking to a mental health professional will help you to process what you’ve been through. It can also help you to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress in the future. It will also help you undo the damage done to your self-esteem, and it will allow you to move on with your life.
Working in a toxic environment is never going to be good for our mental health. But by taking action to protect ourselves, we can minimize the damage and start to rebuild our lives.
Final thoughts
No one deserves to be in a toxic workplace, so if your mental health is suffering because of your job, you need to reconsider your options. No matter how much money you are paid, or the other perks of the job, your mental health is always more important.
So if you’re in a toxic workplace, take steps to protect yourself and start looking for a way out.