(Getty Images)

Amid the highest unemployment rate in recent decades and massive job losses around the country, most workers feel happy to at least be employed. What they aren’t feeling, however, is healthy.

One in three workers has at least one symptom of clinical depression; 41% say they feel stressed sometimes, often, or very often; and one in five has trouble falling asleep often or very often. In all, 14% are being treated for high cholesterol and one in five is taking blood-pressure-lowering medication.

In fact, the percentage of workers who say they’re in excellent health has dropped from 34% in 2002 to 28% in 2008, according to a report recently released by the Families and Work Institute (FWI), a nonprofit research company.

“When we try to explain what happened [since 2002], it wasn’t what we thought was the simple answer—that the population is getting older and younger people simply have better health,” says Ellen Galinsky, the FWI’s president and cofounder. “It was a change among men and higher income employees [due to] the uncertainty around the economy and the greater pressure that people are feeling to manage their work and family life.”

Some workplaces are healthier than others
Not all workplaces are created equal when it comes to health. In fact, 38% of workers at certain jobs—called “effective” workplaces in the report—were much more likely to say they were in excellent health. Conversely, only 19% of employees in workplaces with a low effectiveness rating reported being in excellent health.

So what makes an effective workplace? Six factors make a difference, Galinsky says. Workers may feel healthier if they have “learning opportunities and challenge, a good fit between work and personal life, autonomy, having a supervisor who supports job success, economic security—no surprise in this economy—and a work climate of respect and trust,” she says.

Eric Endlich, PhD, a Massachusetts-based clinical psychologist who specializes in workplace health, says these factors can make people feel in control of their destiny, challenged but not stressed, and appreciated.

“If someone is stressed at work from [feeling like they lack in] any of these factors, they could have a higher pulse, hypertension, [and] higher blood pressure, and if these things happen chronically they can worsen as well as worsen an existing condition,” he says.

Feeling a lack of control in the workplace or not enough support from a supervisor may lead to feelings of helplessness, says Endlich, which in turn can spiral into depression, “which is associated with lots of poor health outcomes [and] increases mortality rates from all causes,” he says.

According to the report, one of the biggest predictors of feeling healthy is a balance between work and personal life. “If someone has difficulty with this balance,” says Endlich, “then they’re going to be cutting back wherever they can,” including on important components of a healthy lifestyle, like getting enough sleep, shopping for and preparing healthy food, and exercising.

Next page: What employers—and employees—can do

Having a boss or coworker who’s a bully not only makes your life miserable, but it can also make you sick. Luckily, I’ve found a new book that might help you cope.

In a new study, published in the September issue of Sleep, researchers found that 10% of 7,694 office workers surveyed in southeast France had been victimized by an office bully, and that the more frequent the bullying episodes, the more likely workers were to experience sleep disturbances. Even just watching someone else being bullied was enough to cause sleep problems.

Another study, in this month’s Journal of Professional Nursing, surveyed 303 nurses at Boston College. More than two-thirds of this group—212 in all—reported that they’d experienced on-the-job public humiliation, isolation, exclusion, or excessive criticism. As a result, the bullied nurses reported their stress levels as “moderate to severe.”

Chronic stress can sicken you. It can lower levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the brain, for example, leaving you vulnerable to depression. Chronic stress, such as you’d experience when you’re the victim of a workplace bully every day, is also linked to higher rates of chronic illness.

In one study, people who had a chronic work-related stressor (defined as stress lasting one month or longer) were at increased risk of developing colds—and the longer the stress lasted, the more likely a person was to become ill—not to mention that sleep disturbances, such as those reported in the French study, are linked to heart disease and obesity.

What to do when you can’t just walk away
Back before the American economy tanked and jobs became extra-precious, you had two possible choices for coping: You could confront the bully and attempt to “fix” him or her, perhaps by an open and honest discussion of your distress. (Yeah. That always works.) Or you could just quit and find a happier workplace.

(Getty Images)

But in today’s challenging business climate, it’s even less likely that your attempts at “bully-fixing” will pay off, because uncertain times are likely to make insecure bullies act out even more inappropriately.

And unless you work in a profession that hasn’t been hit by hard times, staying in a bad job beats unemployment. (Not to mention that if you quit a job, it’s unlikely that you’ll collect unemployment benefits).

Here’s one solution—a helpful new book I just came across. Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job is written by Lynn Taylor, a California-based workplace consultant who helps companies humanize their workplaces.

Next page: 3 ways to treat a boss like your toddler

Nathalie Dion

What’s the secret to bedroom body confidence? How do you conquer impulse shopping? Can you get addicted to stress? You ask the questions. We called the experts. Their answers ahead.

Q: My husband wants me to wear sexy lingerie, but it makes me feel fat and ugly. What do I do?

A: Take a deep breath: It’s not about the teddy. Your husband is really asking you to wear sexier lingerie because he thinks you’re hot. The key to overcoming your insecurity is to find something you feel amazing in. If you choose what makes you feel sexy in a so-you way, you’ll feel more relaxed and up for bedroom adventure.

So where do you start? Think about the parts of your body you love—your strong legs, your shoulders, your cleavage? Then look for lingerie that accentuates those parts. Back in the bedroom, don’t pick yourself apart in the mirror. We promise: Your husband won’t be paying attention to your so-called flaws. He’ll be too turned on by the sight of you and the fact that you granted his wish. If it makes you more comfortable, though, keep the lights low.

Q: Dryness is a huge problem for me. How can I deal with it?

A: The best remedy is a water-based lubricant before sex. These formulas are less likely to cause irritation and infection than glycerin-based lubricants, are less messy than silicone (which can stain sheets and leave a coating on the skin), and are safe to use with condoms. Popular water-based brands like Good Clean Love ($10–$16) and Liquid Silk ($13.68) have the added bonus of containing natural ingredients, like aloe vera, which are great if you’re sensitive to synthetic ingredients.

Another option: lubricant beads, such as K-Y Brand Liquibeads ($14.99). You insert them into your vagina and they dissolve, so there are no tubes or mess to deal with. Also—and this may sound a little strange—a light organic olive oil can work, too. (But don’t use it with condoms, because oil can break down latex, which means you won’t be protected against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.)

Just remember that for truly enjoyable sex, it’s crucial to make sure that you’re fully aroused before you worry about dryness. Lubricants today work great, but they can’t take the place of sexual arousal. Bottom line? Make time for plenty of foreplay before you reach for your lube of choice.

Lori Buckley, PsyD, CST, is a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT certified sex therapist. She has a private practice in Pasadena, California.

Next page: What can I do to lighten my financial load?

Istockphoto

The first day at an new company isn’t that different from the fist day of school: You don’t want to fall flat on your face getting off the bus. Your reputation at the company depends on it. Here’s how to survive the first day and get off to a great start.

First Impressions Count:
It’s important to make a great impression on your first day at work. Peter Post, co-author of The Etiquette Advantage in Business says, “If you’re late, you’ll start off on the wrong foot. If you arrive five minutes early, people take notice. Reflect the attire of that company you’re joining. The two most important things are to be on time and dress appropriately.”

It’s All in a Name:
Have trouble remembering names? Peter Post suggests, “Do your homework. Find out who you’ll be working with from a hiring manager prior to your first day. Get a list of 3 or 4 names so you already have a name to put to a face. When you do get there, repeat their name a couple of times so you imprint that person’s name on your brain.”

Dress to Impress:
Don’t know what to wear? Fashion stylist Sarah Conroy says, “The most important thing to do is ask about the dress code before your first day.” If you don’t have the opportunity to check the dress code, Conroy suggests wearing “A nice pair of slacks with a top that doesn’t show too much skin.” She adds, “I would also bring a removable sweater or jacket, as well as carry an extra pair of shoes in my bag. You could wear a flat or a heel depending on how dressed up everyone is. It’s important to blend in at work.”

Fashion Emergency:
“To maintain your professional look throughout the day, keep a garment care kit filled with a safety pin, sewing kit, a stain stick and an extra pair of hose or tights in your desk so you’re prepared for a quick fix situation,” Conroy says.

Invited to a last minute company dinner?
“That is the exact reason why every woman should keep a dressier pair of shoes at her desk. It might be a smart idea to keep accessories around, as well as your staple pieces of makeup at your desk to refresh your look before heading out.”

 
Related Links:

Made a big mistake on the job? Life coach M.J. Ryan reveals how you can make a full recovery.

Back when I was a magazine editor, I once made a production mistake so horrendous that the back cover fell off of all 300,000 copies on the newsstand. It’s the only time I’ve ever cried at work. I desperately wanted to slink away into a hole and hide for the next decade, at least.

How about you? Ever made a huge blunder at the office? Maybe you took a foolhardy risk with the company’s money, accidentally revealed a piece of confidential medical information about a colleague, or made a big faux pas with the boss. No one is perfect, as much as each of us might like to be, so it’s important to learn the best way to repair damage and move on in a positive way. Through hard-won experience, I’ve come to see that there are three key steps.

1. Apologize the right way
You may want to get the apologizing over with by saying a quick “I’m sorry.” But it sometimes can make matters worse because you may end up sounding insincere. In fact, there’s an art form to a good apology, one that will create closure for you and anyone affected by your actions. First, acknowledge your blunder: “Yes, I forgot to check the figures.” Next, inquire about the impact your mistake had: “What effect did that have on you?” Third, explain yourself—not in a defensive way but to offer context: “I see that I was rushing. Next time I’ll be sure to focus more.” Finally, inquire about how to make amends: “What can I do to fix this? Should I send a letter of apology to the client?” When you include each of these parts to your apology, you actually learn from the situation, and the other person understands that you take your mistakes seriously and handle them maturely.

2. Look to the future
If you’re stewing over a mistake, remind yourself of something I recently heard personal-finance expert Suze Orman say: “You can’t change what you’ve done, only what you’re going to do.” It’s a perfect message for giving up on the “if onlys” and “I should haves” that can drag you down. Instead of kicking yourself, figure out what you can do to avoid making the same mess-up again.

Next page: See the bright side

Think you’re being pretty efficient when you multitask? Think again. Drivers chatting on cell phones, for instance, take longer to reach their destinations, a recent University of Utah study says. “That’s the myth of multitasking,” says Edward Hallowell, MD, ADHD specialist and author of CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life. “It’s like playing tennis with two balls: Your game’s not as good as it would be with one ball.”  How to stop?

Strive to give each task your full attention. Dr. Hallowell tells of a lawyer who negotiated an amazing deal. Later, the adversaries couldn’t believe they’d agreed to such terms. The savvy lawyer’s secret? He focused on the deal only, while the other team checked their PDAs.

You can achieve this type of focus if you go linear—do one thing at a time, moving from one task to the next. Try it: Instead of talking on the phone while answering emails and helping your child do homework, go linear; it won’t take longer and you’ll be sharper.

By Gretchen Roberts

Related Links: