At any given time, as many as 40 percent of workers hate their jobs. You may think that’s the trade-off you make for being able to pay the mortgage—but hating your job is bad for your brain. Although we tend to think that jobs are supposed to suck, people who enjoy their work overall tend to be more productive and successful. An Ohio State University study showed that people who felt unsatisfied in their jobs had higher levels of depression and insomnia. They also worried more than people who enjoyed their jobs.
Something else to think about: how stimulating your job is. Jobs that require little mental engagement or which require a lot of alone time tend to be worse for your brain. A report by the University of Wisconsin showed that jobs that require complex social interaction actually help prevent Alzheimer’s. Jobs that require thinking on your feet also help protect the brain. So, take a good look at your job. Is it helping or hurting your brain?