Work environments have really changed.  Job sites were once a place where employees felt secure economically and were assured of their job placement.  Today, many work environments are places of tension, anxiety and heightened fear.  In fact, a recent Neilson report noted that over 80% of Americans feel stressed by one or more issues at their job.

Spending the greatest portion of your life at your workplace, more and more employees are discovering that their offices are filled with impossible expectations, heightened demands, and toxic situations.  As the tension grows, the pressure tends to put a huge demand on workers physical and mental health.

Career Builders reports 4 key reasons why work environments have become stressful

1. People are feeling anxiety, fear and pressure in the world and within their relationships and they tend to bring their own emotions to the workplace.
2. Employees are being asked to do more with fewer resources, which puts everyone in a place of heightened anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and under appreciated.
3. Employees feel like they must perform under the pressure or that they will be pink-slipped, laid off, or replaced by outsourcing employees. These things only add to the negativity on the job site.
4. The economic conditions are on a downswing and employees are fearful to leave their jobs, take an earned vacation, or time-off despite their need for self-care.

Here are some tips for keeping your job from becoming toxic.

• Don’t be part of the problem. Learn to stay away from gossip and complaining.  When you become part of the problem you increase your negativity level and elevate your anxiety and stress.
• Try not to over react. When we feel stressed in the workplace, we tend to react to things around us.  Tempers fly, people become irritable and terse and that’s the time to slow down. Learn to evaluate the situation and be calm.  The key is to stay away from the drama.
• Try to align with positive people. If you are in a toxic environment, the worse thing you can do is align with others who are toxic—this only fills you with the fuel of unhappiness.
• Workplace negativity can make you sick. If you notice you are getting more backaches, headaches, or upset stomachs, it might be your body telling you that you are in need to get some distance from the job.  Set some limits on hours you work, boundaries with other workers, and maintain a life outside of your job.
• Talk it over. Many work places offer Employee Assistance Programs or benefits to see counselors.  Most therapists are trained to help with stress management, boundary settings and helping you find a real balance in your life.  Typically, you can get some real helpful techniques in just one or two sessions.
• The tough choice. If it is unbearable you need to change your viewpoint or move out of the environment.  This may seem like a horrible solution to the problem, but some workplace environments are too toxic and it’s not worth your mental or physical health.