Live and Work Well

Work enjoyment is important for your physical and mental health. A job that you find rewarding can lead to less burnout and stress. It can also help lower your risk of medical problems like heart disease and strokes. In other words, you can enjoy life more when you find ways to enjoy work more. If you’ve lost that loving feeling on the job, explore some of the tips below.

Revisit the positives

Some people think that changing jobs is the only solution to being unhappy at work. But sometimes changing jobs isn’t possible, and it’s not the only way to raise job satisfaction. How you choose to view the job affects how you feel about it. Whether you have been on the job for weeks or for years, finding the positives can help reset a negative mindset. Here are some questions to help you remember the positives:

Why did you take the job? Accepting and starting a new job is usually tied to positive feelings (nervousness about being new aside). Often, people eventually lose sight of the reasons they took a job the first place.

What do you enjoy about your job? This can range from fun co-workers to a pleasant company culture. Focusing on what you enjoy can help make stressful areas more tolerable.

Why is your job important? Think about how your work benefits your co-workers, community, customers – and even your family and friends. How does what you do add to your or your company’s goals?

What do you enjoy outside of work? Sometimes work is a means to enjoy our passions, hobbies, family or friends. Thinking about how the job enables you to do other things you love can help you put a positive spin on it.

Take control

You likely have control over more things at work than you think. Grabbing the reins can be another way to boost job satisfaction. Be proactive and start making changes. Here are some suggestions:

Refresh your job description. Are you good at something that is not on your job description? Do you enjoy a specific task that would brighten your day? Talk with your manager about adding it to your job description and responsibilities.

Nurture your skills. Take advantage of trainings and workshops to gain new skills and update old ones. This can help you adapt to changing work (and life) demands, improve efficiency and creativity, and find new interests.

Grow your network. This may sound business-y. But it just means talk to people, ask questions and introduce yourself to new people. This can help you to explore a career path, get advice or find job leads. Don’t limit yourself to only people in your company. Think about all the people you know — and the people they know — who might help you.

Be social

People are social beings, so it makes sense that your co-workers can shape your work experiences just as much as your job does. Here are some ideas you can try:

Spend time with positive and happy co-workers. They may help you see your work similarly to how they do. Build relationships with co-workers by taking lunches or breaks together.

Introduce yourself to new faces. Tell them what work you do and offer your help. This small act of reaching out may blossom into a new friendship. You may find that mentoring a younger worker is enjoyable for both of you.

Try volunteering. It benefits the community and provides you with opportunities to learn more about a career, find new skills and meet new people. It can also help boost your self-esteem and confidence.

Conclusion

Being satisfied with your work is important for both your mental and physical health. When you have greater feelings of satisfaction at work, you can live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Sources:

American Heart Association. Understanding how stress affects the body. Opens in a new window Feb. 8, 2024.

American Psychological Association. 5 ways to improve employee mental health. Opens in a new window Apr. 21, 2023.

American Psychological Association. Learn how to manage your workplace stress. Opens in a new window Mar. 28, 2023.

Help Guide. Job networking tips. Opens in a new window Accessed Feb. 29, 2024.

Mayo Clinic. Job burnout: how to spot it and take action. Opens in a new window Nov. 20, 2023.