We all experience the occasional rough day at work—that’s part of life. But what happens when those occasional moments stretch into weeks, months, or even years? What if that deep-rooted frustration, anxiety, or resentment you feel every Sunday night is no longer something you can shake off?

Work-related stress, especially when left unchecked, doesn’t just affect your mood—it takes a measurable toll on your physical and mental health. The harm caused by toxic jobs is more widespread than most people realize. In fact, a groundbreaking study by Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of Dying for a Paycheck, revealed that poor workplace conditions in U.S. companies are linked to up to 8% of national health care costs and 120,000 excess deaths each year. Yes, you read that right—your job can literally make you sick or even shorten your life.