Coping with a job you hate can be challenging at best. You may loathe the overall work environment, your coworkers or the actual day-to-day tasks involved with your position. Waking up every morning dreading what faces you when you get to work is a difficult feeling to manage. Due to these feelings, you may even develop symptoms of depression, anxiety or burnout. However, due to the economic climate or the type of work you do, you may not have any other option for the time being than to deal with it.
Step 1
Prioritize your job responsibilities. According to a September 21, 2007 article on job satisfaction in U.S. News and World Reports, many people hate their job because they feel overwhelmed by too many tasks on their agenda. If possible, delegate the less pressing duties to a colleague or ask a coworker for help.
Step 2
Develop a stress relief program. Releasing stress is crucial to keeping your cool at work and maintaining good physical and psychological health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, exercise is a healthy and productive way of managing stress. You may also consider activities such as meditation, listening to guided visualization CDs or taking a warm bath after work to unwind.
Step 3
Turn work off when you leave for the day. Try not to obsess about a disagreement with a coworker or a meeting you have next day once you leave the office. You won't be able to solve any problems by worrying about them.
Step 4
Ask for support from your family and friends. Talk about your problems, but don't overdo it. Venting about your frustrations can be cathartic and might alleviate your stress level, but constant complaining will only push other people away.
Step 5
Inquire with your company to see if they have an employee assistance program (EAP). EAPs generally offer free, confidential counseling and job stress management classes to employees. If your company doesn't offer EAP services, consider seeking outside professional help from a licensed counselor.
Step 6
Look for another job. It's not worth staying in a job you hate if it starts to affect your overall quality of life. Finding a new job might take a while, so be prepared. Update your resume and start looking in the newspaper or online for other possible options.
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