The Best and Worst Careers for Your Health
You might not think about how "healthy" a job is when you're first pursuing it, but it's worth thinking about. Work, after all, takes up a significant portion of our lives, so it's essential to understand the potential dangers associated with certain roles, whether physical or mental. Here are the 10 unhealthiest jobs in the world—and the 10 healthiest.
1. Radiologist
Being a radiologist constantly exposes you to a high amount of radiation coming from the imaging machinery. Though there is protective equipment in place, being in close contact with these instruments could potentially lead to adverse long-term health effects and may cause cancer.
National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
2. Miner
Miners work in hazardous underground environments, where they're not only surrounded by toxic fumes and substances—which can lead to respiratory problems—but also working with dangerous machinery that can malfunction. They're exposed to extreme temperatures as well, and could experience fatal explosions or cave-ins.
3. Construction Worker
If you've ever seen construction workers on the clock, you've likely seen the treacherous conditions they deal with daily. Whether it's being exposed to loud noise, dust, or smoke, handling heavy equipment, or hanging from scary heights, this job is not for the weak.
4. Paramedic
Being a paramedic can take an extreme toll on your health and mental well-being due to the nature of the job. Since you're constantly working under high pressure and exposed to distressing situations, you may in turn develop conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash
5. Flight Attendants & Pilots
You might think flight attendants and pilots have the perfect balance between work and travel, but their job isn't all sunshine and rainbows past the surface. Irregular sleep patterns and constant time zone changes can take a significant toll on the body. On top of that, they must be able to remain calm and efficient in rare cases of emergencies to ensure the safety of all passengers.
6. Garbage Truck Driver
The smell aside, garbage collectors may be exposed to dangerous materials, like sharp metal, glass, and toxic substances, which could injure them or cause long-term health conditions. They're also required to lift heavy loads, which can put constant strain on their shoulders, backs, and knees.
7. Oil Rig Operator
Oil rig operators need to deal with changing, unpredictable conditions, along with being exposed to dangerous fumes and chemicals. They're also required to work with heavy machinery and may face life-threatening situations, like equipment failure, fires, and explosions.
Jan-Rune Smenes Reite on Pexels
8. Firefighter
Like paramedics, firefighters need to have the mental capacity to handle traumatic situations, making it one of the most physically demanding jobs in the world. They're also at high risk of developing respiratory diseases due to constant exposure to toxic fumes.
9. Industrial Welder
Since welders work with special high-temperature equipment, they're much more likely to experience injuries and burns. Being in constant close contact with chemicals, gases, and fumes also poses a major health risk, which can lead to issues like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and metal fume fever—a flu-like condition caused by breathing in metal oxides.
10. Logger
It's no surprise that logging is another dangerous, demanding job, given that they're working around large trees that could collapse on them if they're not careful, which could in injury or death. The physical aspect of the role also puts immense strain on the body, and may lead to chronic or permanent issues.
What, then, are some healthier (both physically and mentally) jobs to pursue instead? Here are the top 10.
1. Yoga Instructor
Yoga itself is already meditative enough to ease symptoms of anxiety and stress, so being a dedicated instructor for it means you constantly get to practice the movements and teach others. Talk about ultimate Zen!
2. Personal Trainer
Something a little more active and challenging than being a yoga instructor is being a personal trainer. Not only are you paid to keep fit, but you also get to help others achieve their body goals and plan personalized routines.
3. Florist
Unless you have a pollen allergy, seeing flowers can bring a smile to anyone's face. Working with them, on the other hand, could boost your mood even more. Since you're often tasked with arranging the perfect bouquet for particular occasions, you have the chance to showcase your artistry and knowledge while taking the customer's vision into account.
4. Gardener
Like florists, gardeners work with what nature offers, tending to different varieties of plants, flowers, and trees. Being exposed to the outdoors in this way—instead of being stuck in an office chair—can greatly boost your mental and physical health.
5. Nutritionist
Nutritionists know all about the secrets behind the foods we eat—they're responsible for coming up with personalized, balanced diets for their clients, after all. But being this knowledgeable about food and lifestyle means they're often leading healthy, happier lifestyles themselves.
6. Dancer or Choreographer
Personal trainers and yoga instructors are more about strength and fitness, but dancers and choreographers take it further: it's about art, too. While these roles can be demanding and stressful, they allow you to express your creativity through the fluidity of your body, which may force you to stay in shape.
7. Writer
You might think writers are constantly sitting and facing screens all day, which may lean toward unhealthy, but in truth, every writer has their own preferred way of getting their story out. It's also a great way to showcase your creativity.
8. Artist
Artists, like writers, also get to express their vision and creativity in endless ways, whether through paintings or crafts. Plus, if you're working freelance, you don't have to follow strict schedules and deadlines, giving you much more freedom.
9. Professor
Though you might be faced with high workloads during exam and grading season, being a college professor allows you to teach your favorite subject and forge connections with other passionate students. Plus, you get longer holiday breaks than those in other professions.
10. Massage Therapist
If there's something that's even more relaxing and meditative than being a yoga instructor, it's being a massage therapist. Sure, you might be the one administering the massages, but this low-stress environment where you get to promote physical and mental well-being is rewarding like no other.
