Emotionally Exhausting Jobs
Not all jobs are made equally, with many taking a major emotional and physical toll on their workers. In fact, some careers have high rates of sadness and depression, and this is due to the nature and consequences of their work. Did your career make the list? And if so, is it time for a job change?
1. School Teacher
For those who haven’t worked the job, being a school teacher may seem like a charming and easy job. But that’s far from the case. The pay is very low, and the expectations are extremely high. Most classrooms are overcrowded and lack any support, and the children are often unruly and disrespectful. Many teachers suffer violence at the hands of kids, and the board usually doesn’t do anything about it, blaming the teachers instead.
2. Paramedic
First responders usually suffer the most in terms of the terrifying things they see on a daily basis. The constant exposure to trauma and mortality can take a major toll on these workers. They often face high-pressure situations where it's up to them to provide critical care after horrific events like car accidents or crimes.
3. Caregiver
A caregiver is anybody who finds themselves taking care of elderly, ill, or disabled person. This can range from professional caregivers to family members. Either way, people in these roles suffer from emotional fatigue as the person they care for is slowly declining. They also usually get their boundaries crossed and have to do uncomfortable tasks, sometimes with little thanks.
4. Veterinarians
If you love animals, you’d think becoming a veterinarian would be a fulfilling career. But a lot of these vets have to deal with the tragedy surrounding euthanasia and see animals in sad and sickly states. This can be heartbreaking and can cause a major emotional toll on those who love animals.
5. Call Center
You might think working at a call center is pretty relaxed, but it’s actually very demeaning and emotionally exhausting. There’s pressure to meet ever-increasing metrics, and the job itself makes one feel like a soulless robot. Not to mention, the people on the other end are usually abusive or annoyed, and the job comes with very low pay.
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6. Social Worker
Social workers are relied on to help the most vulnerable people, often children, domestic victims, or the homeless. They usually experience second-hand trauma from all the terrifying stories they have to navigate. Plus, they’re burdened with high caseloads with few resources, profits, and support from the government.
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7. Oncologist
Oncologists are doctors who specifically treat and diagnose cancer. Essentially, their job is giving someone the worst news, and they are often surrounded by mortality and sadness. While the pay is high, the emotional turnaround can be quite draining.
8. Fast Food
Fast food workers are responsible for food handling, cleaning, and customer care in franchises like McDonald's and Wendy’s, and more. Their wages are very low, and they usually get no respect. Despite that, they’re often put in high-pressure situations as these places are always busy, and there is no shortage of angry customers.
9. Police Officer
Police officers often come face to face with the worst of humanity and have to respond to emergencies and violent crimes. It can be harrowing to be exposed to so much human suffering, and this, paired with public scrutiny, makes matters worse. While bad officers should certainly be held accountable, the toxic workplace is also taking an unfortunate toll on good officers doing their best.
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10. Meat Farms
At meat farms, workers usually have to deal with the process of slaughtering animals. This can be a numbing thing to be exposed to repeatedly, which is why many farms of this nature offer mental health days. Either way, it can be a sad job, albeit a necessary one for some communities.
11. Nurse
Nurses are often responsible for caring for patients in hospitals and clinics. They usually see people at their worst state, and the job itself is physically demanding, leading into long shifts and overnight hours. Plus, most hospitals are understaffed, so nurses are burdened with loads of work and minimal resources to manage it.
12. Soldier
There may be nothing more harrowing than being exposed to the front lines. Seeing combat can leave quite a mark on people, and the armed forces usually involve being away from home for long periods of time. Lots of soldiers return with physical and emotional injuries, which can lead to mental health decline.
13. Psychologist
Psychologists are often exposed to tragic situations and have to help their patients process intensive mental health issues. While some psychologists manage just fine, others may find themselves working for prisons or hospices. Additionally, psychologists are expected to appear stable at all times, which may prevent them from processing their own emotions.
14. Firefighter
Firefighters usually must expose themselves to danger to save others. Some respond to urban incidents, while others find themselves deep in the flames within forests. This is an incredibly threatening job, and many firefighters also have to deal with unpredictable hours and poor sleep quality throughout.
15. Doctors
While a walk-in doctor might be doing just fine, a doctor in a hospital might be struggling more. Either way, lots of doctors deal with intensive surgeries and are blamed for patient outcomes. They are often very isolated in their careers, and each patient’s passing can take a major emotional toll.
16. Trades
The trades often involve skilled manual labor, and while it can take some time and training, they often lead to fulfilling and lucrative careers. That being said, these workers are often exposed to hazardous environments and can suffer from injury. The repetitive strain of their job, paired with the inconsistent work, can take a toll on everyone from electricians to roofers.
17. Crime Scene Cleanup
Crime scene cleaners are called in to deal with the aftermath of terrible events. It can be a bit shocking and emotionally isolating to be exposed to such things. They also receive very little recognition despite their harrowing work.
18. Hospice Worker
Hospice workers are depended on to care for people in their last moments, and that proximity can take a toll on them. They usually interact with grieving families and have to be constantly compassionate. This can lead to burnout and difficulty connecting emotionally with people.
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19. Farmers
Farming has become more inconsistent and unreliable in recent times, with many workers fearing the longevity of their land. They have to worry about everything from the weather to market volatility to their animals getting sick. Plus, there’s no off time, with many experiencing isolation and physical exhaustion.
20. Construction
Construction workers usually experience an immense physical toll from their work. They’re responsible for building everything from homes to roads and often have to operate heavy machinery. This can lead to injury, not to mention the job itself is rather unstable as it’s tied to the economy and seasons.
