(Wellness Montana) Last time we looked at the effect that a negative job environment has on your body and mind. I know that I have had my fair share of mediocre and stressful jobs. Until my current place of employment, I didn’t know what it meant to engage fulfilling and meaningful work.

Rather than dreading the upcoming week or feeling bored as an individual, I now have a job that not only engaged my time but my mind and my interests. One of the key ways of discovering how to thrive in my work environment was to discover how I feel motivated and rewarded.  Get Motivated by Tamara Lowe is an excellent tool to discover what kind of worker I am: what motivates me, what my optimal work environment is, how I feel rewarded. Knowing these three aspects were key in communicating my needs to my employer and co-workers.

No one has a “perfect” work environment. There are always aspects of a job that could be better, but a great way of improving it is seeing the opportunity for growth and being in constant dialogue with those around you to change it.  If change is  not possible and the negative environment is eating away at your health, it might be time to look at another job. Again, is the constant stress and frustration worth your health in the long run?

For example, having now worked in an environment where the work is fulfilling, my co-workers care about me, and my boss is actively concerned in making sure I stretch and grow (not only as an employee but as a person), has contributed not just to my paycheck but to my life. And, again, that ties into the fact that we are designed to be holistic people, not just separated parts.

What are you thoughts?  I’d love to dialogue with you in the comments below!

(Jamie Upschulte is a chiropractic assistant. She works for Wellness Montana in Bozeman, MT where she enjoys the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle against the backdrop of beautiful mountain views.)